Israel pulls out of peace talks in Cairo over ‘delusional’ Hamas demands

Washington, Feb 15: Israel has pulled out of the middle east peace talks in Cairo dealing a serious blow to the on-going truce negotiations to end the war, blaming Hamas’ “delusional demands” and a lack of new proposals. The talks aimed at ending fighting in the conflict zone in Gaza and freeing more than 100 remaining hostages did not yield the expected breakthrough but were extended for three more days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opted to recall his negotiating team, Israeli media outlets reported Wednesday.
“Israel did not receive in Cairo any new proposal from Hamas on the release of our hostages,’’ Netanyahu’s office said in a statement. “A change in Hamas’ positions will allow the negotiations to advance,’’ he said.
Netanyahu also released a video statement saying “strong military pressure and firm negotiations” are the keys to getting the captives released, the Times of Israel reported. Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan blamed Netanyahu, telling a leading news media in the US that Israel’s proposal veered away from agreements the parties had previously reached. Families of the hostages called Netanyahu’s decision a “death sentence” for their loved ones, who have been held by militants in Gaza for more than 130 days.
Issues which the media says is preventing a deal is Israel’s pledge to crush Hamas and remain in charge of security in Gaza after the war and Hamas’ demands of a permanent cease-fire and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from the war-torn territory, USA TODAY said.
The State Department has confirmed the death of 17-year-old Palestinian American Mohammad Ahmad Khdour in the West Bank and called for an investigation. The Washington Post reported he was shot in the head. He’s the second US citizen, both teenagers, to be killed in the occupied territory since the war started.
Israel has formally complained after a senior Vatican official spoke of “carnage” in Gaza and what he termed a disproportionate Israeli military operation following the October 7 Hamas attacks.
The Israeli Embassy to the Holy See called the comments by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, “deplorable.”
Speaking Monday at a reception, Parolin condemned the October 7 Hamas attacks against Israel and all forms of antisemitism. But he questioned Israel’s claim to be acting in self-defence by inflicting “carnage” on Gaza. (Agencies)