By Emmanuel Yashim
Israel and Hamas on Wednesday accused each other of obstructing negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, after Israel withdrew its negotiators from the talks the previous day.
Israeli media reported on Wednesday that the refusal by the Palestinian Islamist militia Hamas to hand over a list of the names of the hostages it still holds is hindering progress in the negotiations.
After more than a week of intensive negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office recalled the country’s negotiators on Tuesday, saying there should be internal consultations on the continuation of the negotiations.
According to the reports, Hamas sources said they were prepared to hand over a list of hostages who could be released in a first phase following the ceasefire, but refused a demand by Israel to provide a complete list of the 100 hostages who are supposedly still alive.
Hamas in turn accused Israel of blocking the negotiations.
In a press release on Wednesday the group said Israel “introduced new conditions related to the issues of the withdrawal (from Gaza), the ceasefire, the prisoners, and the return of the displaced people, leading to the delay in reaching an agreement that was within reach.”
The militia said it “has demonstrated responsibility and flexibility.”
Netanyahu’s office responded to the accusations: “The Hamas terrorist organization continues to lie, is reneging on understandings that have already been reached, and is continuing to create difficulties in the negotiations.”
Despite this, it said, “Israel will continue its relentless efforts to return all of our hostages.”
(dpa/NAN)
