WASHINGTON: On Friday, the White House accused Hamas of making “entirely impossible” requirements and stalling a offer to extend the Gaza peace.
” Hamas is betting heavily on the strength of day.” It is not,” according to a declaration from the US National Security Council and President Donald Trump’s negotiator Steve Witkoff.
Trump had previously pledged Hamas would “pay a significant price” for not freeing victims, according to the statement, adding that” Hamas is also knowledgeable of the deadline” and should understand that we will respond appropriately if that date comes.
After the Palestinian extremists and Israel resumed direct Gaza peace negotiations, Hamas announced earlier on Friday that it was prepared to release an Israeli-American prisoner and the remnants of four others.
On Wednesday, Witkoff presented a “bridge” plan in Qatar asking Hamas to release hostages in exchange for Israeli prisoners, which would lengthen the initial phase of the truce until mid-April.
Hassan was informed in no uncertain words that this “bridge” would have to be built quickly and that Edan Alexander, a double US-Israeli resident, would need to be released right away, according to the statement.
Hamas, it added,” However, Hamas has chosen to react by formally claiming freedom while personally making demands that are unheard of without a lasting ceasefire.”
When Marco Rubio, the secretary of state of the US, inquired whether the US was giving the hostage’s discharge a priority, Rubio responded,” We care about all the captives.”
We behave as though this transfer is typical and that it takes place. This is outrageous. After Group of Seven discussions in Canada, Rubio said,” They should all be released.”
” I’m not going to comment on what we’re going to take and not take, other than that everyone in the world, should continue to criticize what Hamas has done, which is absurd, crazy, ill, and disgusting,” he said.
