Netanyahu: We accepted the Witkoff deal... and Hamas rejected it

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed criticism of the negotiations to release hostages in the Gaza Strip. Responding to reports that the government rejected the deal, Netanyahu criticized the news outlets that broadcast it, saying, "They always repeat Hamas propaganda, but they are always wrong. We accepted the deal; the deal of (US envoy) Steve Witkoff, and then the version proposed by the mediators. We accepted it, and Hamas rejected it."

According to Netanyahu, "Hamas wants to stay in Gaza. They want us to leave so they can rearm and attack us again and again. I will not accept this; I will do everything in my power to bring our hostages home. I will meet the families... I know their pain and suffering. I am determined to bring the hostages home and eliminate Hamas."

Netanyahu was asked about opinion polls showing that most of the public supports the deal. He replied, “Of course, I also support the deal, but they don’t tell you who the other side is. The polls are manipulated, and they always mislead public opinion. They don’t ask: Do you want a hostage deal that keeps Hamas in place? That allows them to repeat the rape, murder, kidnappings, and invasions? No, that’s not what they mean. All of a sudden, the numbers flip completely. Everything is manipulated.”

Netanyahu concluded his remarks by saying, "We must do the right thing, insist on the release of the hostages, and insist on the other goal of the Gaza war, which is to eliminate Hamas and ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. This is what I am doing, and I will not abandon any of these tasks."

"Critical Hours"

In a related development, Palestinian media outlets quoted a senior Hamas official as saying that ceasefire negotiations in Gaza had reached "critical hours."

According to the Times of Israel, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad-affiliated Palestine Today channel quoted a senior Hamas official as saying that ceasefire negotiations in Gaza have reached a difficult stage, and that the coming hours will be crucial.

The official, who was not named, added that mediators are working to advance the talks, stressing that they are still facing Israeli intransigence.

Two informed Palestinian sources reported on Saturday evening that ceasefire negotiations in Gaza are facing a "stalemate" due to Israel's insistence on presenting a withdrawal map that would leave approximately 40 percent of the Strip under its military control.

One of the sources told Agence France-Presse that "the Doha negotiations are facing stumbling blocks and complex difficulties due to Israel's insistence on a withdrawal map it presented on Friday, which calls for the redeployment and repositioning of the Israeli army, not a withdrawal. It includes keeping military forces on more than 40 percent of the Gaza Strip, which Hamas rejects."

The second source said, "Israel continues its policy of procrastination and obstructing the agreement in order to continue its war of extermination."

Gaza truce negotiations continued in the Qatari capital, Doha, amid accusations from Hamas that Israel is obstructing peace talks, and optimistic US-Israeli talk of a breakthrough in the talks and an agreement "imminent" within "a few days."