Hamas: Netanyahu is blocking the ceasefire agreement

Palestinian movement Hamas published a statement on Monday accusing Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of the Zionist regime, of deliberately avoiding the conclusion of a ceasefire agreement.

The organization said Netanyahu was effectively blocking a cease-fire agreement by adding new conditions to an earlier cease-fire proposal that was backed by the United States. Hamas said: It is clear from what the mediators said that Netanyahu has returned to his strategy of procrastination.

Negotiations between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, continued in Rome, Italy, and the Israeli prime minister reportedly made new demands, namely that Israel maintain control over the Gaza-Egypt border.

Sources say that in his meeting last week, US President Joe Biden pressured Benjamin Netanyahu to reach an agreement regarding the ceasefire and the exchange of prisoners. Getting a deal is critical for Biden. He, who will end his 50-year political career in America in 6 months, plans to present the Gaza ceasefire as an achievement of his government and pave the way for his deputy, Kamala Harris. 

Meanwhile, many Zionist sources who were present in the negotiations say that Netanyahu is intentionally disrupting the negotiations and delaying the agreement by putting forward more difficult demands. Experts say that the continuation of the war is vital for Netanyahu’s political survival, and if the war ends, he will have to face widespread protests and corruption cases.

Translator: Azam Purkand