Hamas accuses Netanyahu of ‘dragging and dodging’ ceasefire agreement with ‘new demands’

The Islamist group Hamas has accused the Israeli prime minister of Benjamin Netanyahuof “delaying and avoiding reaching an agreement” on a ceasefire following the latest demands of the Israeli delegation in Rome, where the mediators are based.

The Islamist group has said Israel has set “new conditions and demands” that represent a step backwards from the original proposal, which was presented by the United States in late May and later endorsed by the UN Security Council.

“Survey the displaced upon their return” and control of the Rafah border crossing

On Sunday, an Egyptian security source assured that the Israeli delegation, led by the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service (Mosad), David Barnea, included among its amendments “examining the displaced persons upon their return to northern Gaza when the ceasefire begins.”

According to this source, Israel refuses to give up the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, something that the mediators – the United States, Qatar and especially Egypt – reject.

Pressure on Israel

The meeting in Rome comes at a time of pressure on Israel from its key ally, Washington, after US Vice President and future Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said after meeting Netanyahu on Thursday that it was time to end the attacks on Gaza with a ceasefire agreement that includes the release of hostages.

Of the 251 people Hamas captured in the October 7 attack, 111 remain, with Israel saying at least 39 dead – Hamas says more than 70 – while four other hostages, two of whom are dead, have been held for years.

Since October 7, Israel and Hamas have reached only a one-week ceasefire agreement in late November, which allowed for the release of 105 prisoners in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.