Talks stalled as Netanyahu calls Hamas demands 'delusional'

STORY: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said Israel did not return for further truce talks in Cairo because Hama’s demands were "delusional."

“They want to defeat Israel, of course we will not agree to them, but when Hamas drops these delusional demands, we can move forward.”

The Egyptian and Qatari-mediated talks to try to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and secure the release of over 100 Israeli hostages have yet to produce results.

A round of inconclusive talks in Cairo ended on Tuesday.

Netanyahu said the demands included ending the war and leaving Hamas as it is.

Adding pressure are the thousands of Israelis who gathered in Tel Aviv against Netanyahu’s government Saturday night – calling for the immediate release of all hostages still in Gaza.

“I am here for my uncle Michel Nisenbaum, who was kidnapped on the 7 of October and is still held by Hamas. He is sick. // We want a deal now to get all the hostages home."

Some 1,200 were killed in Hamas’ October attack, and another 253 seized hostage. More than 100 were released in a short-lived November truce.

Israel’s air and ground offensive has devastated much of Gaza, killing over 28,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Israeli plans to storm Rafah – where more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million population are sheltering – have prompted international concern…

Something Netanyahu dismissed.

"Whoever is telling us not to operate in Rafah, is telling us to lose the war, I won't give it a hand.”

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh blamed Israel for a lack of progress in achieving a ceasefire deal in Gaza, the group said in a statement on Saturday.

Haniyeh said Hamas would only accept a complete halt in fighting, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners serving long sentences in Israeli jails.

Netanyahu again vowed that Israel will “continue fighting until all goals are achieved.”