Hamas has reaffirmed its demand that Israel fully cease its assault on Gaza as part of any deal to release hostages. The Islamist group criticized U.S. President-elect Donald Trump for his remarks suggesting that there would be \"hell to pay\" unless hostages are freed by his January 20 inauguration.
Intense negotiations are underway, with officials from Hamas and Israel engaging in talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt. This marks the most vigorous effort in months to achieve a ceasefire in the region.
The outgoing U.S. administration is pushing for a final agreement before President Joe Biden takes office, while many in the region view Trump's inauguration as an unofficial deadline for resolving the conflict.
Despite ongoing talks, both Hamas and Israel accuse each other of undermining the peace process by adhering to conditions that have previously hindered negotiations for over a year.
Hamas has stated that it will only release the remaining hostages if Israel agrees to end the war and withdraw all troops from Gaza. Conversely, Israel maintains that it will not halt its military operations until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are freed.
\"Hamas is the only obstacle to the release of the hostages,\" stated Eden Bar Tal, director general of Israel's foreign ministry. He emphasized Israel's commitment to reaching a deal.
Hamas official Osama Hamdan, addressing a news conference in Algiers, blamed Israel for obstructing all attempts to secure a deal. He reiterated Hamas's conditions of a \"complete end to the aggression and a full withdrawal from lands the occupation invaded.\"
Regarding Trump's ultimatum, Hamdan remarked, \"I think the U.S. president must make more disciplined and diplomatic statements.\"
In a notable development, a Hamas official informed Reuters that the group has approved a list of 34 hostages for initial release in a truce, which includes female Israeli soldiers and elderly civilians. However, Israel has yet to confirm the status of those listed.
Meanwhile, Israel continues its airstrikes in Gaza, resulting in significant casualties. Health officials report nearly 46,000 Palestinians have been killed since the escalation began in October 2023. Recent strikes have killed multiple civilians, including children, and have prompted urgent calls for international aid to support medical services in Gaza.
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Hamas stands by demand for end to Gaza war under hostage deal
cgtn.com
