GAZA, Sept 05 (Alliance News): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is accused of derailing a potential hostage and ceasefire agreement with last-minute demands, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
The report, based on a document obtained by the newspaper, suggests that Netanyahu introduced new conditions in late July that complicated negotiations and may have contributed to the deaths of hostages.
The document, which was confirmed by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office but denied to contain new conditions, reportedly included demands for Israel to retain control over the Egypt-Gaza border area.
This demand has been portrayed by Netanyahu as non-negotiable. Yedioth Ahronoth’s report also revealed that at least three of the six hostages recently found dead in Gaza—Carmel Gat, Aden Yerushalmi, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin—were scheduled for release as part of the draft agreement from May.
The timing of Netanyahu’s new demands has been criticized by hostage families and observers who argue that the delays and changes to the agreement have been politically motivated.
A senior Israeli official dismissed the report as “misinformed and misleading,” asserting that it undermines efforts to secure hostage releases.
An Israeli source familiar with the negotiations claimed that Netanyahu’s demands were directly responsible for the hostages’ deaths, emphasizing that the prime minister’s refusal to accept the deal two months ago led to the tragic outcome.
The Hostages Families Forum echoed these sentiments, attributing the recent deaths to Netanyahu’s interference with the agreement. On July 25, a senior U.S. Administration official noted that negotiators were nearing a resolution and that acceptance of the deal was contingent on Israeli approval.
