Hamas: Lift blockade to ensure Israeli security

Hamas responded to Israel’s demand that any deal to end Gaza hostilities must address Israel’s security concerns by saying that the only way to ensure Israeli security is by first giving the Palestinians security by lifting the blockade of the Strip.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri (pictured) made the comments after Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said on Monday morning (Australian time) that Hamas could not rectify its military defeat with a diplomatic victory.

Zuhri rejected Netanyahu’s comments that Hamas had been defeated militarily.

“Netanyahu’s talk about an alleged victory is meant for media consumption and to cover up the failure of the operation,” he said.

As the sides jockeyed for negotiating position ahead of the end of a five-day ceasefire which is set to expire on Tuesday morning (Australian time), the Hamas spokesman said hundreds of Israeli soldiers had been killed and wounded and rockets had succeeded in “striking deep inside Israel and imposing an air embargo on it”.

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators were set to resume indirect talks under the mediation of Egypt on Monday (Australian time).

Both sides say gaps remain in reaching a long-term deal that would keep the peace between Israel and armed groups in Gaza, and open the way for reconstruction aid to reach the battered enclave.