Jerusalem CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reneged on a key Israeli concession in ceasefire negotiations, demanding that armed men be barred from returning to northern Gaza during an eventual ceasefire, an Israeli source familiar with the talks told CNN.
Israel had previously agreed to allow Palestinians fully unrestricted access to northern Gaza during an eventual ceasefire, but the Israeli Prime Minister told his negotiating team this week to demand that armed men be barred from northern Gaza as part of any ceasefire and hostage deal, the source said.
The new demand could potentially upend progress in hostage negotiations and raises further questions about Netanyahu’s commitment to Israel’s own proposal for a deal that has become the basis for detailed negotiations.
Israel had said it wouldn’t end the war until all hostages are freed and Hamas is eliminated.
CNN has reached out to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office for comment.
Persons:
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Netanyahu, ” Israel, CNN’s Nadeen Ebrahim, Ibrahim Dahman, Eugenia Yosef, Tim Lister
Organizations:
Jerusalem CNN, Israeli, CNN, Qatari, Doha, Prime
Locations:
Jerusalem, Gaza, Israel, ”