Hamas official: Netanyahu is the real obstacle to negotiations

GAZA, Sept. 04 (YPA) -In response to US President Donald Trump’s demand that Hamas release Israeli captives, senior Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq stated on Wednesday evening that the group had agreed, on August 18, to a proposal put forward by mediators, which was originally based on the Witkoff plan.

“We say to US President Trump that Hamas agreed on August 18 to the mediators’ proposal, which is based on the [US special envoy to the Middle East Steve] Witkoff proposal, while Netanyahu has not responded to it until now,” Izzat al-Rishq said in a statement.

He added, “We affirm that Netanyahu is the real obstacle to prisoner exchange deals and to a ceasefire…he wants a war with no end.”

Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Palestinian group Hamas to immediately release hostages held in Gaza, warning that “things will change rapidly.”

“Tell Hamas to IMMEDIATELY give back all 20 Hostages (Not 2 or 5 or 7!), and things will change rapidly. IT WILL END!” Trump wrote on his social media company, Truth Social.

@E.Y.M