Peace talks between Israel and Hamas are in a deadlock!
The Guardian reports that Israel would refuse any permanent end to hostilities and threatened a new onslaught soon if the militant organization failed to accept recently proposed terms for ceasefire, according to senior Israeli officials.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, once more rejected. The day before, thousands of people had again rallied in Tel Aviv, demanding freedom for the remaining Israeli hostages. Netanyahu assured them his government was formulating an idea to return the hostages.
Later that day, the defence minister, Yoav Gallant, dismissed Hamas as not being serious about reaching a ceasefire deal. He added that if an agreement is not reached, Israel will be left with no alternative but to enter into Rafah, a reported Hamas stronghold with about a million people displaced from elsewhere in Gaza.
A Hamas delegation left Cairo on Sunday to consult with its leadership.
The terms proposed by mediators are yet to be accepted by either Israel or Hamas.
Meanwhile, Israel has continued with its shelling of Gaza, according to the UN.
The head of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, said on Saturday there was “full-blown famine” in northern Gaza. She appealed for an end to the fighting.
Hamas’ most senior political officer, Ismail Haniyeh, said on Sunday that the militant group was willing to reach a comprehensive ceasefire that will end Israeli “aggression”, guarantee Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and achieve a serious hostage-swap deal.
Netanyahu has repeatedly threatened to invade Rafah even if a truce is reached.
