Israeli-Palestinian conflict
May 12, 2024
9.01pm
According to Hamas, Biden’s remarks on the hostages are also a “setback” for the ongoing negotiations. Yesterday the American president said that there would be a ceasefire “tomorrow” if Hamas released the hostages.
By attacking Rafah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruined the chances of an agreement. He supports it Hamas who today also referred to the words of American President Joe Biden which “are a step backwards compared to the results of the last round of negotiations”.
Hamas refers to what Biden said yesterday, according to which “there would be a ceasefire tomorrow if Hamas released the hostages.” Hamas reiterated that it had “made clear at all stages of the negotiations the necessary flexibility on Israel’s part, before Netanyahu and his government begin to attack Rafah, Jabalia and Gaza”, Ynet reports.
“We condemn this position of the President of the United States, we consider it a setback compared to the results of the last round of negotiations, which had led to the consensus of the movement on the proposal put forward by the mediators”, so Hamas in a note.
Gaza, Israel bombs Jabalia and gives a new order to evacuate: “Continue with the operation in Rafah”
Meanwhile, Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor at the White House, heard from his Israeli counterpart Tzachi Hanegbi and reaffirmed the “Unwavering U.S. support for Israel’s security and the defeat of Hamas in Gaza”. Sullivan – the White House said – also reiterated Joe Biden’s fears about a potential ground operation in Rafah. “Hanegbi confirmed that Israel is taking United States concerns into consideration” , the White House says.
Due to the Israeli raids in Gaza, the deaths have exceeded the quota 35 thousand, according to data released by the Hamas health ministry. According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, those who fell in the IDF attacks in the Strip were “more civilians than terrorists”.
The Secretary of State stressed that the US “has not yet seen” a clear and credible plan to protect civilians in Rafah, as requested several times by Washington. But he also specified that regarding the blocking of weapons from Israel “at the moment the only” delivery postponed are the “highly charged bombs because there are ongoing negotiations with Israel, given the impact that these weapons could have if used in areas densely populated”.
Meanwhile, the war continues: fighting has also returned to the north and center of the Strip. In Jabalya the operation was launched last night to counter Hamas’ attempts to “rebuild its terrorist and operational structure”.
