News - Middle East: Hamas has blamed Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for an impasse in the Gaza ceasefire talks, saying he is seeking to torpedo the possibility of a deal that brings an end to the ongoing genocide against Palestinians.

The Palestinian resistance movement made the announcement on Thursday, after Netanyahu insisted on keeping the occupation forces at the 14 kilometer-long Salah al-Din (Philadelphi) Corridor – a demilitarized area along Egypt’s border with southern Gaza.

“Netanyahu's decision not to withdraw from the Salah al-Din (Philadelphi) axis is aimed at thwarting the achievement of an agreement,” the group said in a statement.

It also noted that there is no need for new ceasefire proposals for Gaza and that pressure should be put on the Tel Aviv regime to agree to a US plan which Hamas had already accepted.

“We warn against falling into Netanyahu's trap and his tricks, as he is using negotiations to prolong the aggression against our people,” Hamas added.

Netanyahu insists that Israeli troops must remain in the corridor to prevent weapons being allegedly smuggled into the besieged Gaza Strip, a claim rejected by Arab countries as a justification for the usurping regime’s aggressive and provocative policies. 

The remarks come at a time when Netanyahu’s popularity continues to plummet among the Israeli public who say he is prolonging the Gaza onslaught for his political interests.

Frustration at Netanyahu’s failure to secure an agreement with Hamas has reached a peak, as a mass protest was held in the occupied territories on Wednesday to mark the fourth straight day of anti-regime demonstrations since the bodies of six captives were found.

An unnamed source at Israel’s ruling collation told the Haaretz daily that the prime minister had decided several weeks ago to avoid a deal and insist on maintaining control of the Egypt-Gaza border area. 

“None of the ministers, even those who know that Netanyahu is scuttling a deal, will do anything, " the source said, arguing that is because their "political survival" depends on the life of Netanyahu's cabinet."

"So this situation will continue. Netanyahu will lead to a never-ending war because that’s what’s best for him,” the source added.

Israel launched its brutal Gaza offensive after Hamas carried out a surprise operation against the occupying regime in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

During its operation, Hamas took 251 Israelis captive, 97 of whom now remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 33 confirmed dead by the occupation's army.

After 11 months of Gaza offensive, Israel has failed to achieve its declared objectives of eliminating Hamas and freeing captives, despite killing at least 40,861 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

Source: Press TV