Hamas has announced that new conditions set by Israel have caused delays in reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Despite these setbacks, the group acknowledged that negotiations are still ongoing, demonstrating responsibility and flexibility.
According to a statement released on Wednesday, \"The ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations are continuing in Doha under the mediation of Qatar and Egypt in a serious manner … but the occupation has set new conditions concerning withdrawal (of troops), the ceasefire, prisoners and the return of displaced people, which has delayed reaching an agreement,\" Hamas said.
Israeli and Palestinian media sources have reported that mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. have made progress in the discussions, though a definitive breakthrough remains elusive.
The current stalemate follows Israel's large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, initiated in response to a severe attack by Hamas on the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023. This attack resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the hostage-taking of around 250 individuals.
The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza has escalated to 45,361, as reported by Gaza-based health authorities on Wednesday.
Reference(s):
Hamas says new Israeli conditions delaying Gaza ceasefire agreement
cgtn.com
