Netanyahu says Hamas is backtracking on understandings on prisoner release

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The prime minister’s office has issued a second statement accusing Hamas of seeking to “go back on the understandings” relating to the release of Palestinians held in Israeli jails, Al Jazeera reports.

“Among other things, in contrast to an explicit clause that gives Israel the right to veto the release of mass murderers who are symbols of terror, Hamas is demanding to dictate the identities of these terrorists,” the statement said, according to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper. “The prime minister instructed the negotiating team to uphold the understandings that were agreed upon, and to reject outright the last-minute attempts at blackmail by Hamas,” it added.

Earlier, Netanyahu said he would not issue a statement on the deal as the final details are still being worked out.

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