Hamas is calling for pressure to be put on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to adhere to a ceasefire plan agreed upon earlier this year. The key sticking point in reaching a ceasefire deal in Gaza is Netanyahu’s insistence on retaining control over the Philadelphi Corridor, which Israel seized in May. While Netanyahu argues that control of the corridor is necessary to prevent weapons from being smuggled into Gaza, Hamas accuses him of using this issue to prolong the war and thwart a deal. Both domestic and international pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire as the death toll in Gaza continues to rise.
Egypt, a mediator in the ceasefire talks, has also demanded a timeline for Israel’s withdrawal from the corridor, with the United Arab Emirates criticizing Israel’s decision to maintain control. Hamas warns against falling into Netanyahu’s tricks and insists that he must be held to the agreement that was reached earlier this year. In a press conference, Netanyahu incorrectly claimed that Israel’s ground invasion of Rafah in May led to the release of Israeli captives, when in fact, the release occurred months earlier under a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
The ongoing impasse in ceasefire talks highlights the complexities of finding a resolution to the conflict in Gaza. As pressure mounts on Netanyahu, both domestically and internationally, the need for a concrete plan to end the violence and reach a lasting peace agreement becomes more urgent.
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