By Hamas’ new position on hostage deal unrealistic, says Israeli premier’s office
The proposal on a deal to release Israeli hostages, recently revealed by Palestine’s radical movement Hamas, is unrealistic, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
“Hamas keeps sticking to unrealistic demands. An update on the issue will be presented to the military and security cabinets on Friday,” the premier’s office said in a statement.
According to the Kan radio, Hamas submitted its list of preconditions to Qatari mediators on Thursday evening. The document was reportedly delivered to the Israeli team of negotiators after the military cabinet’s meeting, so the ministers will gather again tomorrow. A source familiar with the document’s contents said the new proposals reflected a certain “positive trend and an agreement is possible.” According to Kan, Israeli views the latest developments “with cautious optimism.”
On March 12, the Al Arabiya television channel reported, citing a source in the Hamas leadership, that Hamas had accepted a US-proposed ceasefire plan for the Gaza Strip. According to the source, the US initiative envisages the cessation of hostilities in the enclave and gradual return of displaced persons in exchange for release of some hostages, captured by radicals during their October 2023 attack on Israel.
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⚡[UPDATE-Day 161-Mar 15-22:00Z] Iran using European ports to hide weapons shipments to Hezbollah
This is a developing story that HO1 will continue to monitor.
Check back for updates.
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