Hamas says Israel has imposed new conditions on withdrawal from Gaza

Israel has put forward a new list of conditions for withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a ceasefire, which, according to the radical Palestinian movement Hamas, delays negotiations. On December 25, Hamas said in Telegram.

"The movement has shown responsibility and flexibility, but the occupation (Israel. - Ed.) has raised new issues and made new demands related to the withdrawal, ceasefire, prisoner exchange and the return of displaced persons, which delayed the agreement that was available," the publication reads.

The report noted that talks are currently underway in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, on a cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the exchange of prisoners of war.

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Earlier in the day, Pope Francis on Catholic Christmas Day called for the laying down of arms in the Middle East and Ukraine. He called on Christian communities in Israel and Palestine where hostilities should end.

At the same time, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the time that an Israeli delegation would leave Doha, where negotiations are underway for the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, to hold "internal consultations."

Earlier, on December 23, Netanyahu said that there was "some progress" in the Gaza Strip ceasefire and hostage exchange talks. Netanyahu emphasized that the progress was due to military pressure on Hamas in Gaza and the death of Yahya Sinwar, the head of the movement's politburo.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian radical movement Hamas launched a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Israel began retaliatory strikes the same day.

The Palestinians intend to return the borders between the two countries that existed before the 1967 Six-Day War, with possible land swaps. Palestine wants to establish its state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and make East Jerusalem its capital. Israel refuses these conditions.