| Topic: | Re:Re:Reply | |
| Posted by: | John Hawkes | |
| Date/Time: | 26/07/25 15:39:00 |
| "US President Donald Trump has said Hamas "didn't really want to make a deal" on a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, after the US and Israel withdrew their negotiating teams from Qatar". BBC News. 'US envoy Steve Witkoff said on Thursday night that the response by the Palestinian armed group to the latest proposal showed "a lack of desire". He added "alternative options" to bring home the hostages still held by Hamas would be considered - something Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed. There was no immediate Hamas response to Trump's comments, but the group earlier expressed surprise about what it called Witkoff's "negative" remarks, and an official said the group had been told Israeli negotiators would return to Doha next week. All sides involved in the talks - including the mediators from the US, Qatar and Egypt - acknowledge that wide gaps remain on key issues, including Israeli troop withdrawals, aid distribution, and a permanent cessation of hostilities. In his statement announcing the withdrawal of the US team from Doha, Witkoff said: "While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be co-ordinated or acting in good faith. "We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza. "It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way. We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza." Netanyahu's office had earlier said in a statement that Israeli negotiators would leave Qatar for additional consultations "in light of the response conveyed by Hamas", but it did not give any more details. A senior Israeli official in Doha - speaking on the condition of anonymity - later briefed Israeli journalists that there was "no explosion, no collapse" in the talks, the Times of Israel reported. But the official did criticise what they called Hamas's "rejectionist and unfortunate approach", saying its latest response did "not allow progress without a shift" in the group's positions. On Friday afternoon, Netanyahu wrote on X: "Witkoff got it right. Hamas is the obstacle to a hostage release deal." "Together with our US allies, we are now considering alternative options to bring our hostages home, end Hamas's terror rule, and secure lasting peace for Israel and our region." At around the same time, Trump told reporters outside the White House: "It was too bad. Hamas didn't really want to make a deal. I think they want to die." He added: "Now we're down to the final hostages, and they know what happens after you get the final hostages. And basically because of that, they really didn't want to make a deal." There was no immediate response from Hamas, but the group said in a statement early on Friday that it was "surprised by the negative statements" from Witkoff on its position. "The movement affirms its keenness to continue negotiations and engage in them in a manner that helps overcome obstacles and leads to a permanent ceasefire agreement," it added. A senior Hamas official later told the BBC that the mediators had informed the group that the negotiations had not collapsed. They said the mediators had also conveyed that the Israeli delegation was expected to return to Doha next week, though no specific date had been set. The two sides have been unable to reach agreement on a US proposal for a 60-day ceasefire that would see the staggered release of 10 living Israeli hostages by Hamas and the bodies of 18 other hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Fifty hostages are still being held in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive.' The reason of course that Hamas dont want peace negotiations to end with the release of all Israeli hostages and corpses is that once that happens they have no bargaining chips. Not just about peace in the region but also regarding the security of Hamas' members and leaders. Once hostages are free, Mossad and the IDF go to work.....! |