Hamas is able to launch all remaining 59 hostages in Gaza in alternate for a everlasting cease-fire with Israel, Palestinian officers mentioned.
As Israel ramps up its army marketing campaign in Gaza, the fear group advised negotiators it was ready to free all its hostages as long as it will get assurance that Jerusalem will withdraw all its forces, a senior Palestinian official advised the Occasions of Israel.
It stays to be seen if the proposal will likely be accepted, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lengthy rejected any deal that doesn’t embody Hamas’ full defeat, together with demilitarization and its everlasting exit from Gaza.
Whereas Hamas has insisted that either side ought to keep on with the unique US-brokered cease-fire deal in January, the fear group seems to be able to concede {that a} everlasting finish to the preventing will not be instantly on the desk.
“We had no different alternative. The scenario in Gaza is horrible,” the officers mentioned about Hamas’ new place.
The phobia group is allegedly open to releasing extra hostages in alternate for a brief cease-fire, Palestinian officers advised the Israeli outlet.
Hamas beforehand agreed to a brand new deal proposed by US particular envoy Steve Witkoff to launch 5 hostages in alternate for one more momentary truce.
Israel, nevertheless, rejected the provide and demanded the discharge of 11 dwelling hostages, in addition to the our bodies of 16 captives.
Hamas officers discovered the Israeli counter-proposal unacceptable, with negotiators for the fear group refusing to reply on Wednesday.
The phobia group maintains that Israel have to be open to finally discussing a everlasting cease-fire in Gaza if it desires all of the hostages freed, with the Palestinian official noting that Hamas won’t ever comply with disarm as long as Palestinian statehood is denied.
Till then, the peace talks are “at a standstill,” the officers added.
Hamas’ newest proposal comes as Israeli troops put together to separate the already divided sections of Gaza additional, with the Israel Protection Forces finishing up a plan to seal off town of Rafah within the south.
The operation would depart Gaza minimize up into three components, with Israel already controlling a border sealing off the north, and permit the IDF to occupy 25% of the Strip.
Following Israel’s return to battle final month, Hamas has confronted growing stress from Palestinian civilians to finish the preventing and free the Israeli captives.
Civilians proceed to face a humanitarian disaster over the renewed blockade on meals and support provides, with the dying toll in Gaza rising above 50,000 final week, in keeping with the Hamas-run Ministry of Well being, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and terrorists.
In the meantime in Israel, Netanyahu is dealing with his personal mass protests over the choice to return to battle, as households of the hostages accused the PM of placing politics forward of their family members’ security.
There are at the moment 59 hostages remaining in Gaza, solely 24 of whom are believed to nonetheless be alive, together with Israeli American Edan Alexander.
With Publish wires
