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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected accusations spread in the Arab media that Israel has allegedly refused a deal proposed by Egypt to release hostages in exchange for a ceasefire. “These reports are baseless. It is Hamas that has been and remains an obstacle to the agreement,” the Prime Minister’s office said. This was reported by The Jerusalem Post.
Meanwhile, sources in the Egyptian government, cited by Al-Arabiya, claim that Israel has changed its position and now demands that the IDF’s presence in the Gaza Strip be maintained for at least another year. This significantly complicates the agreement being discussed with the participation of the United States, Qatar and Egypt.
On Sunday, Netanyahu is expected to convene a cabinet meeting to discuss the expansion of the military operation in Gaza.
Hostage families sound the alarm
Despite the official denial, the hostages’ families are concerned. Vicky Cohen, the mother of kidnapped soldier Nimrod Cohen, addressed Netanyahu on social media with an open question:
“Is it true, Prime Minister? Have you given up on Nimrod and all the kidnapped? Come out to the people and give us answers. Don’t leave us in the dark – another hellish Saturday without any news. We do not deserve this.”
For his part, Abd al-Rahman Shadid, a representative of Hamas’ political bureau, said that the organisation had submitted a new proposal to release all hostages in exchange for a five-year ceasefire. According to him, “Hamas is investing in diplomatic efforts to stop the war, lift the blockade and conclude a serious prisoner exchange agreement”.
