"Israel is to blame"

Hamas demands “genuine prisoner exchange”

A family in the almost completely destroyed city of Gaza.(Bild: AFP)

The radical Islamic Palestinian group Hamas wants to stick to its original proposal for a ceasefire. It is insisting on a comprehensive withdrawal of all Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes. Hamas is also demanding a "genuine prisoner exchange". 

In mid-March, Hamas presented a ceasefire proposal to international mediators, which was seen by Reuters, which provided for the release of Israeli hostages in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

The organization had stated that it would first exchange some sick and elderly Israeli hostages as well as women and children for 700 to 1000 Palestinians. One hundred of these Palestinians are serving life sentences in Israeli prisons.

A family in the almost completely destroyed city of Gaza.(Bild: AFP)

Netanyahu: "Unrealistic!"
Netanyahu's office described this proposal as "unrealistic". Israel would continue its ground offensive until Hamas was eliminated.

Israel responsible for "failure"
On Tuesday night, Hamas accused the Israeli government of being "completely responsible" for the "failure" of the talks on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip so far. The Israeli government was refusing to respond to the "basic demands". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his "extremist government" would therefore bear full responsibility. 

Dispute between the USA and Israel
On Monday, the UN Security Council called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of all hostages held by the radical Islamic group Hamas. In contrast to previous votes, the USA abstained and also waived its veto. The other 14 states voted in favor. The decision triggered an open dispute between the USA and Israel.

There has been some movement in the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a temporary ceasefire and the release of hostages.(Bild: APA/AFP/Ahmad Gharabli)

On Monday, the United Nations Security Council called for an "immediate ceasefire" for the first time since the start of the war.

British air force dropped 10 tons of food
According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, the British Air Force dropped more than ten tons of food over the Gaza Strip for the first time on Monday. "The aid delivery, which consists of water, rice, cooking oil, flour, canned food and baby food, will support the people of Gaza," the ministry said.