Negotiations Between Israel and Hamas Face Setback

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed today, Monday, that the claim that Netanyahu is the one who failed the negotiations rather than Hamas is a false assertion and a deliberate deception of the public. An Israeli official noted that Netanyahu's statements, in which he pledged that Israel would carry out an operation in Rafah, prompted Hamas to harden its position in negotiations regarding a hostage deal and potential ceasefire. The official told the American newspaper "New York Times" that the negotiations are now in a "critical state," and that Hamas is using them to try to ensure that Israeli forces will not begin a ground attack in the southern Gaza City. The official pointed out that "Hamas is now seeking more guarantees that Israel will only implement part of the agreement and then resume fighting." An Egyptian source reported that Hamas's shelling of the Karam Abu Salem area caused a stall in the ceasefire negotiations with Israel. Hours after the newspaper published these comments, the Israeli army began calling on residents of certain eastern neighborhoods in Rafah to evacuate before a potential ground assault. The newspaper described the negotiations as having faced a "setback" over the weekend.