Netanyahu's Side 'Going All Out' to Achieve Goals
Breakthrough in Hostage Negotiations Unlikely
Middle East Tensions Peak Amid Iran Attacks
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated that the Palestinian armed group Hamas rejected the latest proposal for negotiations on the release of Israeli hostages, and accordingly, it will pursue its objectives in the Gaza Strip with "full force."
According to major foreign media on the 14th (local time), Benjamin Netanyahu's office made this announcement in a statement.
On the 11th of last month (local time), black smoke rose over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip due to Israeli military airstrikes. Although Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month, began on this day, the fighting between Israel and Hamas continued. 2024.03.12 [Image source=Yonhap News]
The rejection of this proposal indicates that Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, does not want an agreement and is attempting to exploit tensions with Iran to expand the conflict regionally, the statement added.
Another major foreign media outlet reported that the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad also stated through the Prime Minister's Office that Hamas rejected the Gaza Strip ceasefire plan.
As a result, it has become difficult to expect a breakthrough in the ceasefire and hostage negotiations recently resumed between Israel and Hamas under the mediation of the United States, Egypt, and Cairo.
The previous day, Hamas announced that it had responded to the Gaza Strip ceasefire proposal presented through mediators by Israel. It stated that it would maintain its existing demands, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and discussions on a permanent ceasefire. The Israeli side has maintained a policy of non-acceptance regarding the withdrawal of troops and permanent ceasefire discussions.
As the conflict in the Gaza Strip continues, the crisis in the Middle East has reached its peak following Iran's military attack on Israeli mainland the previous day.
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