Hamas says Netanyahu’s stalling and US silence obstruct move to second phase

The Palestinian movement Hamas said that continued stalling by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with what it described as US silence, means there will be no move to the second phase of a US-backed plan and that the situation will remain stalled.

Mohammed Nazzal, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, was responding to statements by US President Donald Trump, in which he called on the movement to give up its weapons within a “short period”. His remarks came ahead of a meeting between Trump and Netanyahu in Florida.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Nazzal said Netanyahu has followed a “policy of stalling, delay and playing with words” for more than two and a half years. He said this approach has complicated the transition to the second phase of the US-backed plan.

He stressed that “the US sponsor bears the main responsibility”, adding that the three mediators are making every effort to remove obstacles and overcome difficulties.

Nazzal said the silence and tolerance of the US administration allow Netanyahu to continue this approach. He added: “If Netanyahu continues with this policy of stalling, and the US administration remains silent and turns a blind eye, this means we will not move to the second phase, and the situation will remain stalled as it is now.”