US rejects ‘impractical’ Hamas demands as Gaza truce hangs in balance
Gaza correspondent
EPAA Palestinian official told the BBC that negotiations to expand the Gaza ceasefire have not reached a deal as U.S. accused Hamas of making “completely unrealistic” demands at a meeting in Qatar.
Negotiators have been trying to find a way forward after the first phase of the temporary truce ended on March 1.
The United States proposes to extend the first phase to mid-April, including hostages held by Palestinian prisoners held by Hamas and Israel.
But Israel and Hamas disagree with the Palestinian official, who asked not to be named, who did not want to be named.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Saturday that Israel is ready to continue negotiations with Hamas to expand the ceasefire in Gaza.
The comments were posted after Netanyahu met senior aides and security officials. His office said the decision was a response to Israel’s proposal in the U.S. regarding 11 Israeli hostages, as well as the bodies of half of the late hostages.
The White House accused Hamas of making “completely unrealistic” demands in response to Witkov’s proposal.
It will extend the ceasefire until April, but delay negotiations on a permanent end to the war.
“Hamas’ time is bad because time is on this side. That’s not the case,” a statement from the Witkov office and the National Security Council said on Friday.
“Hamas is very clear about the deadline and should know that if the deadline passes, we will respond accordingly.”
The BBC saw Hamas statement that the negotiations broke down.
Netanyahu’s office said earlier that Israel accepted the U.S. proposal.
It said Hamas still “resolutely refused and did not make Millimeter accusations of “manipulation and psychological warfare”.
Israel and Hamas agree Three phases of ceasefire transaction January, 15 months after the war.
In the first phase, Hamas took 25 living Israel hostages, the remains of eight and five living Thai hostages. Israel has released about 1,800 Palestinian prisoners.
The deal said the second phase would include the exchange of remaining living hostages in Gaza for more Palestinian prisoners.
However, both sides currently disagree on the number of hostages released next.
They also disagree with the evacuation of Israeli forces from Gaza, the initial transaction should currently occur.
Israel resists this, and Hamas insists it should happen.
In early March, Israel Block aid cargo to Gaza and then cut the electricity, Say it’s aim to put pressure on Hamas.
Hamas is believed to have up to 24 living hostages in Gaza and 35 people.
As indirect negotiations continued on Friday, the group said in a statement that it was ready to release the last Israeli-American hostage known as the one.
Edan Alexander, 21, was an Israeli soldier close to Gaza when he was taken away.
Under the terms of the original ceasefire agreement, he is expected to be one of the last hostages to be released.
The group also said it would hand over the remains of four other dual nationals captured in the October 7, 2023 attack.
It does not provide more details or know what it needs.
Witkoff dismissed the proposal, saying Hamas tried to appear flexible in unrealistic private public situations.
The attack caused by Hamas on October 7, 2023 killed more than 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians, and hijacked 251 hostages.
According to Hamas-Operation Health Ministry figures, the raid triggered an Israeli military offensive, killing 48,520 people, most of them civilians.
Most of Gaza’s 2.1 million people have been displaced repeatedly.
estimate 70% of buildings Has damaged or damaged, health care, water and sanitation systems collapsed, food, fuel, medication and shortages of shelter.
Other reports by Emir Nader.
