Hamas on Sunday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing an agreement for a truce and hostage exchange in Gaza.
Netanyahu was fully responsible for thwarting the efforts of the mediators, obstructing an agreement, and (bears) full responsibility for the lives of hostages in Gaza, Hamas said in a statement.
Following two days of talks in Doha between US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators, the United States on Friday submitted a new compromise proposal.
According to Hamas, the proposal responds to Netanyahu’s conditions, especially his rejection of a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and his insistence on continuing to occupy the Netzarim junction, the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphi corridor.
The latter two places are seen by Israel as important for preventing the flow of any weapons into the Gaza Strip, while the Netzarim junction sits at a strategic point between northern and southern Gaza.
Netanyahu “also set new conditions in the prisoner exchange file and retreated from other items, which prevents the completion of the exchange deal”, Hamas said.
In its statement, Hamas reiterated its support for a proposal set out by US President Joe Biden in May, which he said was an Israeli plan.
That proposal involved a three-phase deal, starting with a six-week truce alongside the release of hostages taken on October 7 and an Israeli withdrawal from densely populated parts of Gaza.
Hamas officials have on several occasions accused Netanyahu of obstructing an agreement.
Israel has killed at least 40,099 people, according to data from the health ministry in Gaza.
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