White House on Friday accused the Palestinian militant Hamas movement of the laying of “completely unrealistic” requirements and delaying agreement to release the US-Israeli hostage in exchange for extending the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. According to the AFP report, TASR reports this.
“Hamas bet very badly that time is on his side. It’s not,” They stated in a statement by the US Special Ambassador for the Middle East Steve Witkoff and the US Council for National Security. “Hamas is well aware of the final date and should know that if this term expires, we will respond correspondingly,” They continued their statement. They added that US President Donald Trump has already promised that The Palestinian movement will pay a high price if it does not release hostages.
The militant group announced on Friday that is ready to release the Israeli-American hostage and hand over four bodies. This happened after Hamas and Israel resumed indirect negotiations on the ceasefire. Witkoff on Wednesday in Qatar submitted a proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire by mid -April, If Hamas releases living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, AFP writes.
According to the Hamas statement, the US has clearly said that their proposal will have to be implemented soon and the movement must release an Israeli-American citizen. “Unfortunately, Hamas has decided to respond by publicly claiming to be flexible, while in private it places requirements that are completely unrealizable without a permanent ceasefire,” added the White House in a statement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the question of whether the US favors the release of the US hostage, he replied that United States “depends on all hostages”.
In the Gaza Strip since January 19, the ceasefire. During the first phase of a ceasefire that ended almost two weeks ago, Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for approximately 1800 Palestinian prisoners. In the Gaza Strip, militants continue to hold 58 Israeli hostages, 34 of which are dead according to the Israeli army.
