From the Liveblog of
Sunday, August 18, 2024
Hamas rejects latest hostage deal proposal, says Netanyahu setting new conditions
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Hamas puts out an official statement rejecting the latest hostage proposal discussed in Doha over the weekend, and blaming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for putting up new obstacles in the talks.
The terrorist group says that Netanyahu “sets new conditions and demands” to thwart talks and prolong the war in Gaza.
The statement says that the latest US-backed proposal is aligned with Israel’s demands, pointing at the insistence that the IDF remain in the Philadelphi Corridor, the Rafah Crossing, and the Netzarim Corridor. The group also blames Netanyahu for introducing new conditions around the release of security prisoners.
“We hold Netanyahu fully responsible for thwarting the mediators’ efforts and obstructing an agreement,” Hamas says, adding that the prime minister is responsible for the lives of the hostages held by Hamas.
Hamas stresses that it continues to stand by its own July 2 proposal.
