Negotiations are taking place amid increasing popular pressure in Israel on Netanyahu to conclude a deal to release prisoners (Reuters)
A leading source in the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) denied to Al Jazeera the validity of Israeli media leaks that spoke of concessions and compromises offered to the movement.
In his statements, the leader described these Israeli leaks as miserable propaganda aimed at covering up the intransigence of the Israeli government and evading responsibility for obstructing the agreement before the families of its prisoners.
The source confirmed that the movement clarified its “irreversible” position, which is that there will be no exchange of prisoners while the aggression, massacres, and siege on the Gaza Strip continue.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation had quoted an Israeli official as saying that the Israelis were ready to make major concessions in order to conclude a deal to recover the prisoners.
She added that the meeting of Mossad chief David Barnea with members of the mini-ministerial council in Israel, which was scheduled for Sunday evening, was canceled under the pretext of waiting for Hamas’ response to the proposals presented by Israel in order to complete an exchange deal.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation also quoted sources as saying that there are disagreements within the Israeli technical staff regarding whether Hamas is interested in reaching an agreement.
It quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that Israel had agreed to an American proposal for a compromise solution with Hamas regarding the deal, and was awaiting the movement’s response within two days, according to Israeli estimates.
The official also said that a solution could be reached regarding the northern Gaza Strip, with optimism regarding the issue of the return of residents.
The broadcasting authority indicated that the Israeli delegation, headed by the head of the Mossad, returned to Israel from the Qatari capital, Doha, after consulting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid Al-Ansari said last Tuesday that the ongoing round of negotiations in Doha had resumed a few days ago with all its tracks, and had moved to the stage of technical meetings.
Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel are taking place in conjunction with the ongoing battles throughout the Gaza Strip, and the continuing pressure on Netanyahu to complete an exchange deal.
for more details.
Source: Al Jazeera