Hamas open to full hostage release and five-year Gaza truce, confirms official
A Hamas official confirmed on Saturday that the militant group is open to negotiating a deal to end the ongoing Gaza war, which would involve the one-time release of all remaining hostages and a five-year cessation of hostilities. This statement came as a Hamas delegation was set to meet with mediators in Cairo for fresh talks.
'Hamas is ready for an exchange of prisoners in a single batch and a truce for five years,' the official told AFP. The talks come just days after Hamas rejected an Israeli proposal for a 'partial' ceasefire deal that would have seen the return of 10 living hostages in exchange for a 45-day truce.
Hamas' demands for comprehensive ceasefire
Since the outbreak of the conflict on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, the group has been consistent in its demand that any ceasefire agreement must address several key issues. These include a complete end to the war, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, a prisoner exchange, and the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip.
Hamas has also emphasised that disarmament is not part of the discussion, with the group's spokesperson reiterating, 'We will not abandon the resistance's weapons as long as the occupation persists.'
In previous discussions, Israel has resisted the notion of a full cessation of hostilities, insisting on a phased approach and seeking the return of all hostages. Hamas has refused any deal that would allow Israel to retain control over Gaza or continue its military operations against the group.
Hostage talks
The latest round of talks follows several failed ceasefire attempts, including a truce brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States that began on January 19. The deal allowed for a surge in humanitarian aid and the release of hostages, but it collapsed after two months amid disagreements over the terms for the next phase.
Hamas had pushed for negotiations that would lead to a permanent end to the war, but Israel wanted to extend the existing terms without making significant concessions.
On Thursday, Mossad head David Barnea travelled to Qatar, possibly marking his return to the hostage negotiation table after being demoted from the role two months ago. While Qatar has long been a key mediator, Egypt has taken a more prominent role in the current negotiations, according to The Times of Israel.
Hamas's demands remain steadfast, with senior officials stating that a partial ceasefire would not be acceptable.
On Saturday, another senior Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, said that the group would not consider any proposal that does not include a comprehensive and permanent cessation of the war. 'Any proposal that does not include a comprehensive and permanent cessation of the war will not be considered,' Hamdan stated.
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