On Friday, Hamas' armed wing announced its support for efforts toward an interim truce in Gaza. However, the group emphasized that any agreement must include progress toward a permanent ceasefire. They warned that if negotiations fail, they might revert to demanding a comprehensive deal.
Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for Hamas' military wing, stated in a televised address that the group had repeatedly offered to release all hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire. He claimed that Israel had rejected this proposal.
Qatar and Egypt, with support from the United States, have been facilitating over ten days of negotiations regarding a US-backed proposal for a 60-day truce. This proposal aims to halt the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Israeli officials did not comment on the talks on Friday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that Israel's efforts to secure a hostage deal and a 60-day ceasefire have not been reciprocated by Hamas. The proposed deal involves the return of ten hostages, as well as the remains of eighteen others, over a period of sixty days. In exchange, Israel would release a number of Palestinians held in its prisons.
Abu Ubaida warned that if Israel remains resistant to the current proposals, Hamas might not guarantee a return to partial deals or the proposal involving the ten captives. Two Hamas officials revealed that significant disagreements persist on key issues, including Israeli army withdrawal plans, aid delivery procedures, and assurances that a truce would lead to a permanent end to the war.
Hamas insists that any deal must include a commitment to end the war. Conversely, Netanyahu maintains that the war will only conclude once Hamas is disarmed and its leaders are removed from Gaza.
According to Gaza health authorities, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 58,600 Palestinians. During the conflict, nearly 1,650 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed, including 1,200 people during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel, according to Israeli figures.
5 Comments
Loubianka
They're offering a hostage exchange for a ceasefire, and Israel's refusing? Sounds like a very complicated moral issue.
BuggaBoom
They can't be serious - they attack Israel, and then demand the war to stop? They are only motivated by their own bloodlust!
Loubianka
If Hamas is so concerned about Gazan lives, why won't they simply release the hostages and end the fighting? Their actions speak louder than their words.
Michelangelo
The constant threats from Hamas are tiresome. They should be held accountable for the damage and deaths they caused.
Africa
This article highlights the humanitarian cost of this conflict. Both sides need to compromise. Is there a good reason to kill so many people?