Hamas rejected planned hostage negotiations this week, hours after CNN published a poorly-substantiated story claiming the terror group was serious about a deal but that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not.
Axios Reported (emphasis in original):
Hamas announced on Sunday that it was rejecting invitations to meet by the United States, Qatar and Egypt. Final round of negotiations over the Gaza hostage crisis and ceasefire agreement scheduled for Thursday.
Why is this important: Hamas’ statement: Biden Administration Initiatives To reach a ceasefire with the hostages and prevent the Gaza conflict from escalating into a regional war.
Earlier, CNN reported, citing anonymous sources:
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar wants a ceasefire agreement — or at least that is the message Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries have conveyed to Israeli officials in recent days ahead of a key summit planned for later this week, Israeli sources familiar with the matter said.
Whether the Israeli prime minister wants that remains unclear.
…
Two Israeli sources said Netanyahu’s aides have told journalists and government officials that he is ready to make the deal regardless of the impact it would have on his ruling coalition, but Israeli security officials remain highly skeptical about his willingness to do so given fierce opposition from far-right ministers in his coalition.
“Far-right ministers” who spoke out about a potential deal have said Israel should not release high-profile terrorists who kill Israelis. White House national security spokesman John Kirby criticized Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for expressing such views.
But it is Hamas, not Netanyahu, that has consistently blocked an agreement.
Vice President Kamala Harris has also been pushing for a deal, but to no avail. On Saturday, she criticized Israel, not Hamas, in response to unfounded reports that Israeli attacks on Hamas positions on school grounds had killed civilians, and called for a ceasefire and hostage agreement to be reached as soon as possible.
Joel B. Pollack is executive editor of Breitbart News. Breitbart News Sunday The show airs Sunday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. (4 to 7 p.m. ET) on SiriusXM Patriot. He is the author of “Agenda: What Trump Should Do in His First 100 Days,” which is available for preorder on Amazon. He also wrote,Trumpian virtue: The lessons and legacy of Donald Trump’s presidency” is available on Audible. He is the 2018 recipient of the Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter. Joel Pollack.
