Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan mentioned in an interview with CNN that he didn’t know what number of hostages had been left alive.
“I do not know something regarding that. Nobody is aware of regarding this,” he mentioned.
There are fears extra hostages have died than is publicly recognized. In April, Hamas informed worldwide mediators it mightn’t fulfill Israel’s demand to launch the remaining 40 hostages within the first part of the settlement, as a result of it didn’t maintain 40 folks nonetheless alive.
Requested concerning the testimony of a physician who handled the hostages that they suffered psychological and bodily abuse and had been crushed hourly, Hamdan once more blamed Israel for his or her struggling.
“I’m positive that if they’ve psychological issues, it’s due to Israel’s actions in Gaza. As a result of (nobody can) deal with what Israel is doing, bombing every single day, killing civilians, killing ladies and youngsters… they see it (with) their very own eyes,” he mentioned.
Chatting with CNN within the Lebanese capital, Beirut, Hamdan mentioned the most recent proposals being mentioned don’t meet the group’s calls for to finish the battle.
Additionally learn: In Rafah, Gaza Refugees Reside Like in a Horror Film
Hamdan mentioned Hamas wants “a transparent place from Israel to just accept a ceasefire, full withdrawal from Gaza, and let the Palestinians decide their very own future, reconstruction, (lifting of) the siege… and we’re prepared to do this. discuss a good deal on prisoner trade.”
Negotiations over the US-backed proposal had accelerated in current days, however appeared to stall on Wednesday following Hamas submitted its response to the doc, 12 days following first receiving it.
United States Secretary of State Antoni Blinken expressed frustration over what he mentioned was Hamas’ resolution to suggest “many modifications,” and described a few of them as “going past positions that (Hamas) has beforehand taken.”
Additionally learn: Hamas Learning Peace Proposal with Israel
“Some modifications might be carried out. Some do not,” Blinken mentioned at a press convention in Doha, Wednesday.
The US-backed ceasefire plan authorized by the UN Safety Council on Monday lays out a phased strategy. Within the first stage, there might be a six-week ceasefire throughout which some hostages might be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners and the Israeli army will withdraw from densely populated areas in Gaza. The second part – a everlasting cessation of the battle and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza – will solely be carried out following additional negotiations between the 2 sides.
However Hamdan informed CNN that the length of the ceasefire is a serious subject for Hamas, which is anxious that Israel has no intention of following via on the second part of the settlement. The top of hostilities have to be everlasting, he mentioned, and Israel should withdraw utterly from Gaza.
Additionally learn: Newest ceasefire proposal circulating between Israel and Hamas, right here is the leak
“Israel desires a ceasefire for simply six weeks following which they need to return to battle, which I feel America, as of now, they have not satisfied Israel to just accept (a everlasting ceasefire),” he mentioned, including that he believes the US must persuade Israel to just accept everlasting ceasefire as a part of the deal.
Israel has not publicly dedicated to the settlement, though the White Home has repeatedly emphasised that Israel’s plans have been accepted by the administration. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, beneath strain to announce his help for the present plan, has repeatedly mentioned that the battle is not going to finish till Israel eliminates Hamas.
Blinken informed NBC that Netanyahu “reaffirmed” to him “that Israel helps this proposal and is able to say sure” when he met with him just a few days in the past, and blamed Hamas for the breakdown in negotiations.
“Hamas should present that additionally they need this to finish. If sure, we will finish it. “If not, it means they need the battle to proceed,” mentioned Blinken.
Query of accountability
Chatting with CNN, Hamdan repeatedly deflected any questions on Hamas’ position within the struggling of Palestinians in Gaza. He known as the October 7 terror assault, which sparked the present battle in Gaza, a “response to the occupation.”
The October 7 assault was the deadliest assault in Israel’s historical past. Hamas and different Palestinian armed teams killed greater than 1,200 folks, principally civilians, and likewise took round 250 hostages in Gaza.
“The one in cost or liable for that is the occupation (Israel). Should you resist the occupation, (they) will kill you, if you don’t resist the occupation, (they) will even kill you and deport you out of your nation. So what ought to we do, simply wait?” he mentioned.
Hamdan additionally known as false studies that Sinwar claimed the deaths of 1000’s of Palestinians had been “obligatory sacrifices.” Sinwar has not been seen in public because the October 7 assault.
“It was a pretend message made by somebody who shouldn’t be Palestinian and despatched (to) the Wall Avenue Journal as a part of strain on Hamas and to impress the general public towards its leaders,” he mentioned with out offering proof. “Nobody can settle for the killing of Palestinians, of their very own folks.” (CNN/Z-3)
#Hamas #Doesnt #Hostages #Alive
