WASHINGTON July 09. 2024 (Saba) -The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu injected new uncertainty into the negotiations late Sunday, insisting that Israel should be able to resume fighting as part of any deal accepted by negotiators, The Washington Post said late on Monday.
His statement appeared to raise the bar for what Israel would accept in a deal and further tempered any lingering expectations of an imminent peace, the paper added.
Netanyahu stipulated that "any deal will allow Israel to resume fighting until all of the objectives of the war have been achieved."
A statement issued by his office suggested that the prime minister would be unwilling to fully commit to a permanent cease-fire until the complete elimination of Hamas in Gaza — something he has repeatedly described as a key aim of the war, alongside the release of the hostages and the ensuring of Israel's security.
The statement was criticized by Netanyahu’s domestic political opponents as well as Israeli demonstrators campaigning for a hostage release deal.
"With his irresponsible statement, Netanyahu once again proved himself to be the one who obstructed [the deal]," said Einav Zangauker, a mother of one of the hostages who suspended herself in a cage above the demonstration in Tel Aviv in protest, The Washington Post said.
Netanyahu acts as if he does not want a deal, a source participating in negotiations on prisoners told the Israeli 'Channel 12'.
The moment to try Netanyahu in hostage deal is approaching, the source added.
Hamas on Monday called on the mediators to intervene and put an end to Netanyahu's misconducts and crimes, and called on the international community the United Nations to press for an end to the genocide experienced by the Palestinian people and to prosecute the Zionist leaders for their crimes.
K.N
resource : Saba
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