The battle for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel continues as both sides trade accusations over delays in reaching an agreement. Despite some progress in recent days, the talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt are now facing new hurdles.
Hamas Claims Delay Due to New Conditions
On 25 December 2024, Hamas accused Israel of introducing new conditions that have stalled negotiations for a ceasefire. The group emphasised their flexibility in the discussions, stating, “The occupation has set new conditions related to withdrawal, ceasefire, prisoners, and the return of the displaced, which has delayed reaching the agreement that was available.” The militant group insisted that serious talks were still ongoing.
Israeli Response
In a stark rebuttal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Hamas was failing to uphold previously agreed terms. In a recent statement, he said, “The Hamas terrorist organisation continues to lie… and is continuing to create difficulties in the negotiations.” Meanwhile, he assured that efforts would persist to secure the release of hostages captured during the conflict.
Recent Developments and Continued Violence
- Israeli negotiators returned from Qatar for internal consultations about the hostage issue.
- In ongoing military operations, Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed at least 24 Palestinians in Gaza on the same day.
- Strikes targeted both known Hamas militants and areas sheltering displaced families, particularly in the Sheikh Radwan district of Gaza City.
- Health officials in Gaza report that Israeli forces are besieging several hospitals, hampering medical services.
The ongoing exchange of strikes and counter-strikes has left Gaza devastated, with health officials indicating that over 45,200 Palestinians have been killed since the outbreak of violence in October 2023. This escalation follows an attack by Hamas that killed over 1,200 people in Israel, leading to the current military campaign.