• Israeli newspaper Haaretz condemned Netanyahu’s claims that renewed attacks aimed to rescue hostages, calling it “another lie”.
• They accused Israel of violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement, stating Israel not Hamas was responsible for derailing the deal.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of sabotaging the Gaza ceasefire agreement, placing the blame on Israel and not Hamas.
“Israel – not Hamas – is the one preventing the deal’s implementation and the hostages’ return,” Haaretz stated in an editorial.
Following renewed Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since Tuesday — which killed over 400 people, injured hundreds, and shattered a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement established in January — the Israeli government claimed the assault resumed due to Hamas’ “repeated” rejection of proposals to extend the ceasefire and release Israeli captives.
“But it must be said, loudly and clearly, that this is a lie. It was Israel, not Hamas, that violated the agreement,” Haaretz countered.
The editorial highlighted that on the 16th day of the ceasefire, both sides were supposed to begin discussions for a second phase, which would involve releasing all remaining hostages. According to Haaretz, Israel refused to enter those talks.
The article also noted that Israel failed to honour its commitment to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor, a key border area between Gaza and Egypt, between the 42nd and 50th day of the ceasefire.
“Moreover, Israel announced that it was halting the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and closing the border crossings,” the editorial continued. “This decision, like the energy minister’s decision to halt the limited amount of electricity Israel provides to Gaza, explicitly violates Israel’s commitment in the agreement that aid will continue entering as long as talks on the second stage are ongoing.”
Despite the first phase of the deal ending in early March, Netanyahu refused to enter negotiations for the second phase, instead pushing to extend the initial stage. Hamas, in response, has insisted that Israel adhere to the agreed terms by initiating second-phase negotiations, which include a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a total ceasefire.
Haaretz further challenged Netanyahu’s claim that Hamas had rejected all proposals from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. “All the proposals that Hamas received from Witkoff stem from Israel’s refusal to uphold its part of the deal. Consequently, the attempt to portray Hamas’ rejection of Witkoff’s proposals as a reason to resume the fighting is nothing but a dishonest manipulation,” the editorial asserted.
The paper also condemned Netanyahu’s claim that the renewed assault on Gaza aimed to free the hostages, calling it “another lie.” Haaretz wrote, “Military pressure endangers the hostages, and of course also the lives of Israeli soldiers and Gaza residents, while also destroying what remains of the territory.”
Since October 2023, nearly 50,000 Palestinians — mostly women and children — have been killed, and over 112,000 injured in Israel’s military offensive on Gaza.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.
