War on Gaza: Netanyahu hindering deal again by changing demands, source says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has returned to his “evasive approach” in the Gaza ceasefire talks, hindering negotiations, an Egyptian source has told the Al-Araby Al-Jadeed news outlet. 

The source, who was described as “familiar with the negotiations”, said in the Wednesday report that the change in the Israeli positions surprised mediators and slowed recent progress made in the indirect talks with Palestinian movement Hamas. 

Netanyahu submitted a new list of demands, which included modifications regarding the captives Israel wants to be released, as well as additional conditions related to the timeline for the army’s withdrawal during that phase of the proposed agreement, the source said.

He added that talks were “proceeding very well” until the latest Israeli changes. 

“Mediators in Egypt and Qatar were about to reach a nearly final draft of the agreement to present to all relevant parties, especially after Hamas had presented an acceptable formula regarding the agreement's timeline,” the report said. 

Read more: War on Gaza: Netanyahu hindering deal again by changing demands, source says