Hamas, a militant group supported by Iran, turned down the define introduced by mediators, in keeping with Mossad, the Israeli exterior intelligence company.
Whereas Mossad didn’t straight say the Iran drone and missile strikes on Israel had been accountable, it mentioned Hamas’s chief in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, “is continuous to take advantage of the strain with Iran” and “doesn’t desire a humanitarian deal and the return of the hostages”.
Israel hails ‘success’ in blocking Iran’s assault. Biden seeks diplomatic response
Israel hails ‘success’ in blocking Iran’s assault. Biden seeks diplomatic response
“We … reaffirm our adherence to our calls for and the nationwide calls for of our individuals; with a everlasting ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation military from your complete Gaza Strip, the return of the displaced to their areas and locations of residence, intensification of the entry of reduction and help, and the beginning of reconstruction,” the Islamist faction mentioned.
The Hamas assertion got here a number of days after Israel killed a number of family members of the group’s chief Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza, elevating fears among the many households of hostages that it might derail efforts to safe their launch from Gaza.
Talking in Qatar a day after the killing, Haniyeh mentioned his group nonetheless sought a deal however accused Israel of procrastinating and evading a response to the group’s calls for.
The pessimism contrasts with Israeli officers saying final week there had been progress in negotiations for a truce in Gaza that would come with the discharge of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners.
Iran seizes Israel-linked cargo ship with 25 crew: Iranian media
Iran seizes Israel-linked cargo ship with 25 crew: Iranian media
International Minister Israel Katz mentioned then that the talks had reached a important level and he “was extra optimistic than I used to be”.
The Israel-Gaza battle erupted with fighters from the group attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 individuals and abducting round 250.
Round half the hostages had been launched throughout a week-long pause in combating that ended on December 1. It’s unclear how lots of the remaining 130 or so captives are nonetheless alive.
Israel needs to safe the return of hostages seized by Hamas in its October 7 assault however says it is not going to cease combating till Hamas is destroyed as a army drive. It additionally says it nonetheless plans to hold out an assault on the southern Gaza metropolis of Rafah, the place greater than 1,000,000 civilians have taken refuge.
As journalists danger their lives in Gaza, the West appears the opposite method
As journalists danger their lives in Gaza, the West appears the opposite method
Hamas mentioned on Saturday it was able to conclude a prisoners-for-hostages swap cope with Israel that may see the discharge of hostages nonetheless believed to be held in Gaza in return for tons of of Palestinians jailed in Israel.
The well being ministry in Hamas-run Gaza mentioned on Sunday that at the least 33,729 individuals have been killed within the territory throughout greater than six months of battle between Israel and Palestinian militants.
The toll consists of at the least 43 deaths over the previous 24 hours, a ministry assertion mentioned, including that 76,371 individuals have been wounded within the Gaza Strip because the battle started.
Further reporting by Agence France-Presse
