Ismail Haniyeh Hamas leader has charged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with attempting to block a ceasefire in the Gaza war by committing “heinous massacres” against Palestinian civilians. 2 Israeli strikes in Gaza killed over a hundred people, including a strike on the Al Mawasi camp for relocated persons and a makeshift mosque at Al-Shati refugee camp.
Haniyeh stated that Hamas had shown a “positive and responsible response” to ceasefire proposals, but Netanyahu’s conditions and comments have stopped progress. He stimulated international mediators, including Qatar, Egypt, Oman, and Turkiye, to get involved and stop the “massacres.” Netanyahu has insisted that Israel will destroy Hamas and regain control of territory on Gaza’s border with Egypt to avoid arms smuggling.
Haniyeh criticised Netanyahu’s comments and the new conditions, saying they are “linked to the heinous massacres committed by the occupation army today.” He called on mediators to “do what is crucial with the American administration and others to stop these massacres.” Qatar and Egypt have condemned the Israeli strikes, and Haniyeh will hold further contacts with international leaders to push for a ceasefire.
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The dispute started on October 7 with a Hamas attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis, and Israel has answered with intense military pressure. The US has backed Israel’s right to defend itself but also prompted a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange. The situation remains volatile and dangerous, with both sides blaming each other for war crimes. The international community is urging a ceasefire and a peaceful answer to the protest. The United Nations has also called for an immediate ceasefire and an investigation into the alleged war crimes.
Netanyahu has dug in his heels, saying, “I am not moving a millimetre from the outline that President Biden gave his blessing to, but I am also not allowing Hamas to move a millimetre.” This statement has increased concerns about the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
By Arab news
