Staff Reports
The negotiations for a second temporary truce in the Gaza war have hit a roadblock as Hamas officials expressed dissatisfaction with Israel's remarks suggesting that the fighting would resume regardless of a cease-fire. While talks for the release of up to 40 hostages appeared to be progressing, Hamas insisted they wouldn't discuss a hostage swap deal until there is a complete halt to the aggression. This stance aligns with Ghazi Hamad's recent accusations that Israel is seeking only a short break rather than aiming to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Israel has reiterated its position that the war in Gaza will not conclude until Hamas is eliminated. The recent Israeli bombardments have led to smoke clouds covering the Gaza Strip, forcing refugees to flee from southern Gaza as the conflict continues to impact the Palestinian territory.
Hamas refuses to hear new hostage deal as Israel says war will ‘not stop’ https://t.co/cbFzJxV1ts pic.twitter.com/dGZKmI2YVj
— New York Post (@nypost) December 21, 2023
Despite ongoing negotiations involving Egyptian and Qatari mediators with Israeli and Hamas leaders to release hostages in exchange for a temporary truce, the deadlock persists. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized in a Wednesday night speech that the war will only end when Hamas is eliminated, rejecting the possibility of a cease-fire without achieving this objective.
In Tel Aviv, Israeli citizens, whose loved ones remain captive in Gaza, continue to push for a deal to secure their release. Demonstrations have been ongoing for weeks, reflecting the urgency of the situation. President Biden noted that the U.S. is advocating for an agreement between Israel and Hamas on a cease-fire, even as the death toll in Gaza reportedly surpasses 20,000. While talks are underway, progress has been slow, and a significant breakthrough has yet to occur, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
