Netanyahu: Hamas rejected latest hostage deal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday dismissed accusations that his government is obstructing a hostage deal, insisting Israel had already endorsed the latest proposal.
In a video message posted on X, Netanyahu condemned local media for 'echoing Hamas propaganda,' confirming, 'We accepted the [US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve] Witkoff deal, and then the version proposed by the mediators. We accepted it, Hamas rejected it.'
He doubled down on Israel's war objectives, vowing to press on until both goals are achieved: the return of all hostages and the elimination of Hamas. 'That's what I'm doing. I will not abandon either mission.'
עדכון חשוב ממני אליכם. צפו >> pic.twitter.com/TSfIW7Rhq4
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 13, 2025
Hamas has yet to comment on Netanyahu's allegations.
Negotiations in Qatar between Hamas and Israeli delegations remain underway, centered on a phased framework that includes hostage releases, Israeli troop withdrawals, and steps toward a ceasefire.
Hamas continues to demand a permanent halt to hostilities, a complete Israeli withdrawal, the reopening of Gaza's crossings, and a broad reconstruction effort. Netanyahu, however, remains adamant that Israel must retain the right to resume fighting after any temporary truce, including the currently proposed 60-day pause.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
World offers condolences for Iraq's tragedy
Shafaq News – Baghdad Several countries and international organizations, including Turkiye, Russia, Iran, the United States, France, Lebanon, and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), extended condolences to Iraq following the deadly fire in Wasit. The blaze, which broke out inside a crowded hypermarket in the city of Kut, claimed the lives of more than 60 people, including women and children. Dozens more were injured, many trapped by the flames before rescue teams could intervene. Here are the official statements of condolence: – Turkiye's Foreign Ministry: Regarding the Fire in Iraq's Wasit Province — Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) July 17, 2025 – Russia's Embassy in Iraq: تعرب سفارة روسيا الاتحادية لدى جمهورية العراق بخالص التعازي وصادق المواساة إلى الشعب العراقي الصديق وخاصة لأهل واسط المحترم في فاجعة الكوت الأليمة اننا نتمنى الشفاء العاجل للمصابين ونشارك الم فقدان الأرواح الأبرياء والخسارة المأسوية الموجعة التي تعرضت لها عوائل الضحايا الكريمة — Russia in Iraq (@RusEmbassyIraq) July 17, 2025 – Iran's Foreign Ministry: The Islamic Republic of Iran offers its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the fire incident in neighboring #Iraq 's eastern city of Kut. We express our deepest sympathy and solidarity with the people and Government of our… — Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) July 17, 2025 – United States Embassy in Iraq: تتقدم بعثة الولايات المتحدة في العراق بأحر التعازي وأصدق مشاعر المواساة إلى أسر وأحباء الضحايا الذين فقدوا أرواحهم في الحريق المدمر الذي اندلع الليلة الماضية في مركز تجاري بوسط مدينة الكوت. نعرب عن عميق حزننا لفقدان الأرواح والإصابات، ونتمنى الشفاء العاجل للجرحى. — U.S. Embassy Baghdad (@USEmbBaghdad) July 17, 2025 – France: اتقدم بخالص التعازي لأسر وأقارب ضحايا الحريق الذي وقع صباح اليوم في الكوت مركز محافظة واسط. اتمنى الشفاء العاجل للمصابين. تعرب سفارة فرنسا عن تضامنها التام مع الشعب العراقي. July 17, 2025 — UNAMI (@UNIraq) July 17, 2025
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Turkiye, KSA condemn Israeli aggression in Syria
Shafaq News - Damascus/Ankara/Riyadh (Updated 17:44) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed Bin Salamn, on Thursday, condemned Israel's airstrikes on Syrian territory, warning that continued military action risks destabilizing the broader region. According to a statement from the Turkish Presidency, Erdogan told the Syrian transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa, in a phone call, that the strikes represent an 'aggression' and pose 'a threat to the entire region.' Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had urged the international community to pressure Israel to stop its military escalation. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in a phone call, also welcomed these efforts, expressing Riyadh's confidence in the Syrian government's ability to restore stability. Violence escalated in southern Syria in recent days, where clashes between Druze groups, government forces, and tribal fighters have left over 350 dead, including civilians. Israel has since expanded its strikes on Syrian military sites in the south and Damascus, following pressure from its Druze community over alleged massacres in Suwayda. In response to the unrest, Syria's Interior Ministry reached a deal with local Druze leaders to restore calm and stabilize the province.
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Kurdistan welcomes salary deal with Baghdad
Shafaq News – Erbil On Thursday, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani welcomed the new agreement with Baghdad to resume the payment of public sector salaries, expressing hope that Kurdish entitlements would no longer be subject to political or financial disputes. Barzani said the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) had shown 'maximum flexibility' and fulfilled all its obligations 'in the interest of the public and to ease the burden on Kurdistan's citizens,' paving the way for a joint agreement announced by the Iraqi cabinet earlier in the day. پێزانینێکی زۆرم بۆ خۆڕاگری و پشوودرێژیی خەڵکی کوردستان هەیە، هەروەها سوپاسی ماندووبوونی هەموو کەس و لایەنێکیش دەکەم کە هەوڵیان بۆ چارەسەرکردنی کێشەی مووچە داوە و بەردەوام هاوکار و پاڵپشتمان بوون. — Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) July 17, 2025 Barzani also called for regular, uninterrupted payments going forward, stressing that outstanding issues should be resolved 'per the Constitution and in full respect of signed agreements.' Tensions between Baghdad and Erbil over oil exports and revenue sharing intensified in May 2025 when the former halted salary disbursements, citing the KRG's failure to deliver agreed oil volumes and to remit non-oil revenues to the state treasury—requirements enshrined in Iraq's 2023–2025 federal budget law. The KRG argued that it faced logistical and political challenges in fulfilling the agreement, particularly due to the continued halt of crude exports through Turkiye's Ceyhan port since March 2023.
