Netanyahu vows to launch Rafah offensive – DW – 04/30/2024

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said early on Tuesday, on her return from talks in the Middle East, that negotiations had reached the point where it was up to Hamas to take the next step. 

“It now lies solely in Hamas’ hands, that the hostages are finally freed,” Baerbock told German public broadcaster DLF, after more than six months of the militants holding them hostage, a situation she described as “inconceivable” for most people. 

Although the precise details of the latest deal have not been made public, again the proposal is understood to involve a halt in Israeli military operations in exchange for the remaining hostages’ release. 

Hamas has said it requires time to consider the offer. AFP quoted an unnamed Hamas source on Tuesday as saying the group wanted to reach a decision “as quickly as possible.” Baerbock responded skeptically. 

“We’ve experienced this repeatedly in recent months,” she said. “That Hamas, as a terrorist organization, is still sadly pursuing the goal not just of endangering Israel with continuing rocket attacks, but also apparently of extending this awful war.” 

Baerbock said this was the reason why it was “so important that we found a common and strong voice — from Arabic countries, European countries and from the Americans,” making it clear that the conflict must stop. 

“The suffering must have an end, for the people in Israel and just as much for the 2 million Palestinians. Hamas does not speak for the Palestinian people. It does not consider limiting this suffering to be its responsibility,” Baerbock said. 

This was why collective pressure was crucial, she said, but it also demonstrated “how difficult this entire process has been over the past six months and more.” 

More than 34,500 Palestinians in Gaza have died, according to the local health authorities, in Israel’s retaliatory offensive following the October 7 terror attacks carried out by Hamas.