ALBAWABA - Israeli demands during continuing ceasefire discussions have been consistently raised, according to Hamas, which has notified Turkish Foreign Ministry officials of this. The US was also chastised by the group for not exerting more pressure on Israel to come to a deal.
Speaking during the ceasefire talks, a Hamas delegate said that Israel has been raising the bar on every one of its demands, making a settlement more and more elusive. "The U.S. has announced that it will continue the negotiations for another two weeks, with the possibility of withdrawing if no progress is made," said a Hamas official.
Speaking to senior officials at the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the Hamas official hinted that although the U.S. administration may seem dedicated to achieving a ceasefire because of regional security issues and the impending U.S. presidential elections, it has not actually put much pressure on Israel.
The source declared: "They keep sending hopeful messages, but the reality is grim." The official blasted the United States for projecting an unduly optimistic picture in the media. Netanyahu is always imposing additional requirements. He is placing further demands on the Rafah border crossing and is not prepared to bargain on the Philadelphi route. Every time there is a round of negotiations, it appears like Israel keeps pushing for more. This is an imposition rather than a discussion."
Asserting that the chances of a truce are being undermined by this strategy, the Hamas spokesperson said, "The negotiations are focused on three main issues: the Philadelphi corridor, the Rafah border crossing, and the prisoner exchange."
"The U.S. has stated that it will continue to facilitate negotiations for two more weeks, with a warning that it may withdraw if no agreement is reached," the official continued, commenting on the U.S. position. This is a very dangerous option since it may lead to a recurrence of the original impasse."
The delegate also brought attention to Gaza's dire humanitarian situation, saying, "People are having difficulty accessing food and medicine." There are just basic basics like dry goods and flour available. Fresh vegetables, meat, and other perishables are severely in short supply."
