Netanyahu accuses negotiators of parroting Hamas after tough talk criticized

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing back after a report quoting unnamed sources claims that hardline comments from him and Defense Minister Israel Katz have harmed trust in hostage release and ceasefire negotiations taking place indirectly between Israel and Hamas.

According to Channel 12 news, the sources complained that comments from Netanyahu and Katz about Israel continuing to control Gaza after the war are “unnecessary and harmful” to talks, which have centered around a staged deal that would see many hostages released in its first part.

“The only hope of getting to the first stage is if there is trust that the second and third stages will include a ceasefire,” a source is quoted as saying. “When they say, we won’t move, we won’t retreat, we won’t stop and will maintain military control, why would the first stage take place?”

Responding to the report, the Prime Minister’s Office fumes in a statement that the criticism is “yet another echo of Hamas propaganda coming from unnamed sources in the negotiating team acting out of political interests.”

“Netanyahu is committed to returning all the hostages home and achieving the rest of the goals of the war in Gaza,” the statement adds. “Those giving briefings would do well to focus on the holy task of bringing back our hostages, and stop playing into the hands of the Hamas terror group.”