The Hamas Movement has sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over recent remarks in which he reportedly dismissed the possibility of reaching a comprehensive prisoner exchange deal.

Hamas said the comments confirm Netanyahu’s "malicious and ill-intentioned" efforts to obstruct any agreement that would secure the release of captives and bring an end to Israel's ongoing military assault on the Gaza Strip.

In a statement released Thursday evening, Hamas said it had earlier proposed a wide-ranging agreement that would entail the simultaneous release of all captives in exchange for a complete cessation of hostilities, a full withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the enclave, and the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid.

“Netanyahu rejected this proposal at the time and continues to maneuver and place obstacles in the way of a resolution,” the statement said. Hamas emphasized that it remains committed to engaging “positively and responsibly” in negotiations aimed at ending the aggression, enabling reconstruction, and restoring Palestinian dignity in exchange for a mutual prisoner release.

The accusations came in response to reports in Israeli media that Netanyahu told the families of captives held in Gaza that a comprehensive agreement was not feasible at this stage. According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Netanyahu indicated that negotiations to end the war could only begin after the implementation of a proposed 60-day ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reported that Netanyahu informed the families that under a potential deal, Hamas would retain the authority to decide which captives would be released.

The developments come amid ongoing indirect talks between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, aimed at brokering a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange. Despite international calls for a resolution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, progress remains stalled as both sides continue to blame each other for the impasse.

Hamas reiterated its position that any agreement must include provisions for a total Israeli withdrawal and a commitment to rebuilding the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, where more than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, according to local health authorities. (ILKHA)