Gaza: Netanyahu reverses on key Israeli concession in ceasefire talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reversed a key Israeli concession in ceasefire negotiations with Hamas.

CNN reports that Netanyahu is now demanding that armed men be barred from returning to northern Gaza during an eventual ceasefire.

According to the report, Israel had previously agreed to allow Palestinians unrestricted access to northern Gaza during an eventual ceasefire.

However, the 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, a source told CNN.

The new demand could potentially upend progress in hostage negotiations and raise further questions about Netanyahu’s commitment to Israel’s own proposal for a deal that has become the basis for detailed negotiations.

Talks resumed in the Qatari capital, Doha, last Friday between Israel and Hamas over the weekend.

Hamas agreed to compromise on a major sticking point for Israel, that the Jewish state commit to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza before signing an agreement.