Netanyahu playing ‘hardball’ in truce talks: Analyst

Rami Khouri, a distinguished fellow at the American University of Beirut, has described Netanyahu’s latest demand for a list of captives as a “hardball” and said the path to secure a lasting ceasefire in Gaza remained “tough”. “In the first ceasefire, Hamas did not provide a list of names. The list is a new demand and appears not to be a government demand but Netanyahu’s own demand that he made at the last minute,” Khouri told Al Jazeera. “Then there’s the issue of how many Palestinian prisoners will be released for each hostage. And then there’s the question of, will this be a ceasefire for six weeks and then the genocidal bombing of Gaza will continue? Hamas has no interest in a brief pause before then being subjected to this incredible assault on them, including the killing of people lining up for humanitarian aid.” Still, with a week to go before Ramadan, “I wouldn’t say [Netanyahu’s demand] has dashed all hope” of a ceasefire deal before the fasting month, Khouri added. Subscribe to our channel Follow us on Twitter Find us on Facebook Check our website: Check out our Instagram page: Download AJE Mobile App: #Gaza #GazaWar #Israel #Palestine #IsraelHamasWar #IsraelGazaWar #Hamas #AbductedIsraelis #IsraeliCaptives #GazaCeasefire #GazaTruce #AbductedIsraelis #IsraeliCaptives #AlQassamBrigades #Netanyahu #BenjaminNetanyahu #US #JoeBiden #USIsrealTies