Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of opposing and obstructing a prisoner exchange deal, following the group’s claims that they had agreed to US President Joe Biden’s ceasefire proposal in late May.
Netanyahu’s office released a statement accusing Hamas of hiding its true stance and continuing to block the exchange.
Netanyahu alleged that Israel had accepted a U.S.-mediated proposal on August 16, but Hamas rejected it and killed six hostages.
Biden’s May proposal involved a comprehensive ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza, and the release of all prisoners.
While Netanyahu insisted on maintaining a military presence along the Philadelphi Corridor and key crossings, American officials involved in the negotiations suggested Hamas introduced new demands regarding Palestinian prisoners, though Hamas denied this.
