A senior Hamas official has stated that as Israel maintains its “starvation war” in Gaza, the armed group has no interest in engaging in additional negotiations on a new ceasefire and hostage release agreement.
Nine weeks ago, Israel halted all humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza and then recommenced its military campaign, claiming it was applying pressure on Hamas to free the hostages.
According to Bassem Naim, however, there was “no point in any negotiations” as long as the embargo was maintained.
His remarks followed the approval by Israel’s security cabinet of a broader attack that could result in the permanent occupation of all Palestinian territory and the forced relocation of the majority of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents.
