Israel and Hamas trade blame on ceasefire efforts as they inch closer to a deal

euronews (in English)

Although Israel and Hamas have expressed optimism that progress was being made toward a deal, sticking points remain over the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

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00:00Israel and Hamas have accused each other of complicating ceasefire efforts in Doha, as

00:06the two sides inch closer to a deal that could end the 14-month war in Gaza.

00:11On Wednesday, Hamas accused Israel of introducing new conditions related to the withdrawal from

00:16Gaza, while Israel's government blamed Hamas for reneging on understandings that have already

00:21been reached.

00:22Qatar's foreign ministry has said the talks were ongoing regardless.

00:26Meanwhile, in a visit to Gaza, Israel's defense chief, Israel Katz, vowed to keep holding

00:32security control over the strip after recent operations dismantled what he called terror

00:38and underground infrastructure.

00:40According to a statement, Israeli forces located a two-kilometer-long tunnel route during the

00:46operation.

00:48Black-and-white thermal video released by the military also showed various tunnels in

00:53the southern Gaza Strip being blown up.

00:56In a related development, families of hostages held by Hamas held an emergency press conference

01:02in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

01:03They called for the release of their loved ones.

01:06Around 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza, although only two-thirds are believed

01:12to be still alive.

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