Netanyahu Accused of Stalling Gaza Ceasefire Talks Amid Rising Tensions
Hamas says Israel is delaying the second phase of the ceasefire deal, while Netanyahu vows retaliation over hostage remains dispute..
Watan-Palestinian media reported that Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanou accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of delaying the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, stating that negotiations have not yet begun in practice.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu vowed that Hamas would “pay the price” for violating the agreement by failing to return the body of captive Shiri Bibas, claiming that the remains handed over on Thursday belonged to a woman from Gaza.
Former Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for the resumption of the war on Gaza, citing explosions that occurred on buses in Tel Aviv on Thursday evening. Speaking to Army Radio, Ben Gvir criticized the ceasefire deal as “reckless” and warned that proceeding with the second phase of the agreement would be an “indelible stain” on the Israeli government.
A poll conducted by the Israeli newspaper Maariv showed that 70% of Israelis support implementing the second phase of the prisoner exchange deal all at once.
Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces continued their military campaign in several areas, maintaining their offensive on Jenin and its refugee camp for the 31st consecutive day, alongside operations in Tulkarm.
