Israeli public anger for delay in captives' release directed at Netanyahu: Analysis

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Hamas's decision is "tragic" but predictable, according to Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli diplomat.

"Netanyahu indicated, before his trip to Washington, that he does not have any intentions of moving on to phase two [of the ceasefire deal]," Pinkas told Al Jazeera, speaking from Tel Aviv.

"The moment he made it clear that he has no intention of moving to phase two, that put into question phase one ... Then he went to Washington and stood by President Trump, who came up with this Gaza Riviera idea that includes expelling 2.3 million Palestinians.

"Fast forward to today, in an interview on Fox News, [Trump] said that [Palestinians] will not be able to return to Gaza."