Washington judges « unacceptable » the response of Hamas – Liberation
The truce in Gaza does not seem to be for now. Hamas, who said on Saturday evening having given the mediators his response to the American proposal for truce In the Gaza Strip, saw Washington judge it « Completely unacceptable » in stride.
The United States had indicated earlier In the week having received the assent of Israel to their proposal, the president Donald Trump ensuring Friday that an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza was « Very close ». Friday, the Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had summoned Hamas to accept the American proposal for truce and the release of the hostages removed during the attack on October 7, 2023, under penalty of« Be destroyed ».
Hamas explains in its press release that in the proposal of agreement, « Ten living prisoners of the occupation (Israel, editor’s note) retained by the resistance will be released, in addition to the restitution of 18 bodies, in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners ” prisoners by the Hebrew state. Of the 251 people kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023 in Israel, 57 are still retained in the Gaza Strip, of which at least 34 died, according to the Israeli authorities.
Hamas’ response is « Completely unacceptable and that only makes us go back »deplored American emissary Steve Witkoff on his X account on Saturday, adding that Hamas « Should accept the proposal that we have presented as a basis for talks, which we can start next week »without other details. Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has also tried « unacceptable » Hamas’ response, believing that it was « Rack the process »according to a press release from his office on Saturday.
« We have not rejected Witkoff’s proposal »reacted Bassem Naïm, member of the Hamas political bureau, saying that it is the Israeli response to this proposal « Who disagreed with all the arrangements on which we agreed ». « However, we have now responded in a positive and responsible manner, so as to meet the minimum requirements and aspirations of our people »added this manager.
He said Hamas demanded a guarantee that a 60-day ceasefire be respected by Israel and is accompanied by an influx of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip, as well as negotiations to definitively end the war. « Why, each time, is the Israeli answer considered to be the only answer for negotiation? » he protested, denouncing « A total bias in favor of the other party ».
