نتنياهو يهدد بتحرير الرهائن دون تفاوض مع حماس

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his country and the United States are exploring ways to secure the release of hostages in Gaza without relying on a negotiated agreement with Hamas.

He stated in a statement today (Friday): "The special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, was correct in his decision." He considered Hamas to be the obstacle to reaching an agreement for the release of the hostages. "We are now examining, in cooperation with our American allies, alternative options to bring our hostages home, end Hamas's rule, and achieve lasting peace for Israel and our region."

Netanyahu's office had announced the recall of the Israeli delegation from Doha for consultations before the announcement by U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff to recall the American delegation.

Witkoff said on the platform "X": "We decided to bring our team back from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows its unwillingness to reach a ceasefire in Gaza." He added: "Despite the significant efforts made by mediators, it does not seem that Hamas is coordinated or well-intentioned."

He added: "We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the residents of Gaza."

Meanwhile, Palestinian-American businessman Bashar Bahbah, who is mediating in Qatar between Hamas and Washington, said: "Hamas has provided its response to the Israeli proposal regarding redeployment and prisoner exchange. Hamas's response was realistic and positive. Now Israel must enter into serious and swift negotiations to reach a ceasefire. Everyone is waiting for relief. The people of Gaza have suffered greatly from killing, destruction, and hunger."

Israeli Channel 13 news quoted an Israeli official involved in the Doha talks as saying: "The response we received is unacceptable to us. Therefore, it was decided to return the delegation home."

He added: "There are disagreements in all areas being negotiated. We faced difficulties in discussing the keys to dealing with Palestinian prisoners."

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority quoted an Israeli official as saying: "The Hamas delegation raised the issue of the 'keys to the deal' again, demanding the release of 200 Palestinian security prisoners, in addition to about 2,000 detainees from Gaza who were arrested after October 7, which exceeds the numbers stipulated in the mediators' initiative that included the release of 120 security prisoners and 1,200 detainees from Gaza."

The authority revealed that "for the first time in the negotiations, Hamas is demanding the release of elite members who participated in the October 7 attack as part of a hostage release deal and a ceasefire in Gaza."

It added: "Hamas did not provide a list of names of the prisoners it demands to be released, but initially requested the number and type of prisoners, including elite members and life-sentenced prisoners, and so on."

Regarding the withdrawals of the occupation army within the Gaza Strip during the ceasefire period, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority revealed that they will be as follows:

- Northern Gaza Strip: to a distance of one kilometer from the border fence.

- Eastern Gaza: to a distance of one kilometer from the border fence in uninhabited areas, and 800 meters from populated areas.

- Southern Gaza Strip: to a distance of 1.2 kilometers in uninhabited areas, and 700 meters in populated areas.