New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated Israel's firm stance against Hamas's demands for an end to the Gaza conflict in exchange for the release of hostages, saying on Sunday that such a step would keep the Palestinian Islamist group in power and pose a threat to Israel.
Instead, Netanyahu stated that Israel is open to temporarily halting hostilities in Gaza to facilitate the release of the more than 130 hostages still held by Hamas, reported news agency Reuters.
"But while Israel has shown willingness, Hamas remains entrenched in its extreme positions, first among them the demand to remove all our forces from the Gaza Strip, end the war, and leave Hamas in power. Israel cannot accept that", Netanyahu said.
He further added, "Hamas would be able to achieve its promise of carrying out again and again and again its massacres, rapes and kidnapping."
Hamas Chief Accuses Israeli PM Netanyahu Of Obstructing Mediation Efforts
On the other hand, Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh has accused Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing mediation efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire and securing a hostage exchange in Gaza. Speaking from Qatar, Haniyeh alleged that Netanyahu's actions were aimed at perpetuating aggression and expanding conflict, while simultaneously undermining the progress made through various mediators and diplomatic channels, reported AFP.
According to AFP, Haniyeh remarked that Netanyahu wanted to "invent constant justifications for the continuation of aggression, expanding the circle of conflict, and sabotaging efforts made through various mediators and parties".
In Cairo, Hamas leaders engaged in a second day of ceasefire negotiations with Egyptian and Qatari mediators, as reported by Palestinian officials.
However, no apparent progress was made as Hamas remained steadfast in its demand that any agreement must bring an end to the conflict in Gaza. The discussions come amidst ongoing violence that erupted following Hamas's assault on southern Israel on October 7, in which 1,200 people were killed and 252 hostages taken, according to Israeli tallies, as per Reuters.
Israel's ongoing military offensive in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties, with more than 34,600 Palestinians reported killed according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.
The bombardment has devastated much of the coastal enclave and caused a humanitarian crisis.