World must pressure Hamas on Gaza deal, Netanyahu says after group's statement

By REUTERS

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 19:12

PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a news conference in Jerusalem, on Monday. Many Israelis are asking whether these hostages gave their lives so that Netanyahu can keep his job, the writer charges. (photo credit: CHAIM GOLDBEG/FLASH90) — PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a news conference in Jerusalem, on Monday. Many Israelis are asking whether these hostages gave their lives so that Netanyahu can keep his job, the writer charges.

(photo credit: CHAIM GOLDBEG/FLASH90)

The chief US negotiator, CIA head William Burns, said on Saturday that a more detailed ceasefire proposal would be made within several days.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that more pressure should be put on Hamas to accept a new Gaza deal proposal, after the Palestinian terrorist group said it was only willing to implement a ceasefire free of new conditions.

The chief US negotiator, CIA head William Burns, said on Saturday that a more detailed ceasefire proposal would be made within several days.

On Wednesday, Hamas' negotiation team met the Qatari and Egyptian mediators in Doha and reiterated their readiness to implement an "immediate" ceasefire with Israel in Gaza based on a previous US proposal without new conditions from any party, the group said in a statement.

"Hamas is trying to hide the fact that it continues to oppose a hostage release deal, and is obstructing it," Netanyahu said in a statement.

Hamas's 'cold blood' murders

He said Israel had accepted the most recent proposal, while "Hamas rejected it and even murdered six of our hostages in cold blood. The world must demand that Hamas free our hostages immediately," Netanyahu said.

Marchers call for the release of hostages in Gaza at the annual Israel parade in New York City, June 2, 2024. (credit: LUKE TRESS)

The sides have so far failed to reach a deal to end the 11-month-old war, instead trading blame for introducing new demands that have impeded agreements.

Lingering issues include control of the Philadelphi corridor, a narrow stretch of land on Gaza's border with Egypt, as well as the release of some of the Palestinian prisoners who have been convicted of deadly violence.

The original proposal put forward by US President Joe Biden in May laid out a three-phase ceasefire that would include the release of Israeli and foreign hostages.