The president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, stated this Thursday that the negotiations with the Islamist group Hamas for the release of hostages kidnapped in the Gaza Strip They are not serious.
“I am not sure that the negotiations are real,” Herzog defended himself, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the outcome of the ongoing negotiations between the Israeli authorities and the Islamist group, mediated by Qatar, who are seeking a solution to the conflict that has occurred. open since October 7.
“To be honest, I still don’t see a serious response from Hamas”argued the Israeli leader, in an interview with the Spanish news agency EFE, from the presidential residence in Jerusalem.
“I see that there are advances and setbacks. I know that there is a mediation process on the part of Qatar,” added the president, who, however, expressed his fear that Hamas is playing “psychological games to drive Israel crazy.”
“This It’s time to offer something and show seriousness. in the release of hostages, starting with children and women,” Herzog said, referring to the possible release of at least some of the 239 hostages in Gaza.
The president also thanked Egypt for its “very active and positive” stance in presenting proposals, despite the “complex circumstances.”
When asked if Israel would be willing to embark on a prisoner exchangeas requested by Hamas, Herzog He simply said that we are not at that stage yet.
The Israeli president also accused Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, of being “a Hitler-style megalomaniac” who “does not understand the ability of humans to speak.”
According to sources, part of the problem with the negotiation is that It is not the political leaders of Hamas in Qatar who make the decisions on the ground.which corresponds to the military wing of the movement in the Strip, in addition to the fact that each round of dialogue lasts “two or three days.”
With all this, the rounds of negotiations continue in traveling locations, both in Doha, the capital of Qatar, and in Egypt, with the participation of the United States, with the aim of reaching a definitive agreement between both parties as quickly as possible. .
The chain of intermediaries means that Israel, US, Qatar and Egypt meet first and then convey message to Hamas leaders in Doha and, later, in Gaza.
Source: TSF
