Hamas and Israel blame each other for stalled Ceasefire Agreement
Hamas and Israel accused each other of causing delays in finalizing the agreement. Hamas claimed that Israel had introduced new conditions, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of violating previous agreements.
On Wednesday, Hamas stated that Israel had presented new conditions related to the withdrawal from Gaza, ceasefire, release of Palestinian prisoners, and the return of refugees. This has delayed the achievement of the existing agreement.
Hamas said that it has been serious and flexible during negotiations, which were mediated by Qatar and Egypt.
Netanyahu, in a statement, accused Hamas of “continuing to lie” and claimed that the group was violating previously made agreements and disrupting the negotiation process.
At the same time, Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s continued “tireless efforts” to bring back hostages.
Israeli negotiators returned to Israel on Tuesday evening, December 24th, for consultations after a week of intense talks in Qatar regarding the continuation of negotiations.
In recent weeks, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have increased their efforts to achieve a phased agreement. One of the major challenges has been agreeing on the deployment of Israeli forces in Gaza.
On Wednesday, December 25th, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke with military commanders, stating that Israel would maintain its security control over the Gaza Strip, including creating buffer zones and control posts.
Hamas is calling for an end to the war, while Israel insists that Hamas’s rule in Gaza must come to an end in order for the group to stop being a threat to the country.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue their attacks in northern Gaza while ceasefire negotiations are ongoing. In one of the most intense attacks in 14 months, Israel targeted three hospitals in northern Gaza: in Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, and Jabalia.
Palestinians have accused Israel of trying to permanently evacuate northern Gaza to create a buffer zone. Israel has denied this accusation, stating that civilians have been instructed to leave the areas for their own safety.
According to Gaza health officials, at least 24 people were killed on Wednesday, December 25th, in Israeli attacks across Gaza. One of the attacks targeted a school building in the Sheikh Radwan area of Gaza City, where war refugees had taken shelter.
In another attack in Rafah’s al-Mawasi area, which had been designated for humanitarian purposes, Israel targeted a Hamas militant. However, several other Palestinians were also killed in this strike.
In the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, 1,200 people were killed, and 251 were taken hostage in Gaza. Since the war began in Gaza, over 45,000 Palestinians have died, and more than 2.3 million residents of Gaza have been displaced.
The situation remains tense as both sides continue to escalate their positions, with Israel insisting on the end of Hamas rule and Hamas seeking a cessation of hostilities. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, a final resolution seems distant, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen.
The international community is under increasing pressure to address the violence and bring about a lasting peace agreement. With both sides entrenched in their demands, it remains unclear when or how this conflict will come to an end.
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