Hamas says it will not agree to an interim truce if latest round of talks fail
Hamas' Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson said on Friday the group would not agree to an interim truce in the future if a ceasefire agreement was not reached during ongoing negotiations and accused Israel of intransigence.
"We are closely monitoring the ongoing negotiations and hope they will result in an agreement that guarantees the cessation of the war against our people, the withdrawal of occupation forces, and the relief of our people," spokesman Abu Ubaida said in a video statement.
"However, if the enemy persists in its obstinacy and evades this round, as it has done every time, we do not guarantee the return to partial deals, nor to the proposal for the ten prisoners."
He further claimed that the terror organization had also allegedly proposed releasing all of the hostages in an effort to end the war.
"We have repeatedly proposed, over the last few months, a comprehensive deal in which we would hand over all the enemy's prisoners at once, but the war criminal Netanyahu and his Nazi movement ministers rejected this offer," he said in a video message posted on Telegram.
How are Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks going?
This statement comes after Israel and Hamas entered another round of ceasefire and hostage deal talks, which are reportedly in advanced stages.
Sources told The Jerusalem Post that Israel has made 'significant progress' in the hostage-ceasefire negotiations.
However, 'at least a few more days of discussions will be needed to reach a final agreement."
A senior diplomatic official told reporters that a hostage deal, which would involve the release of 10 hostages, the return of the bodies of 18 others, along with a 60-day truce, is 'attainable.'
'We, as a government, are interested in a framework for a hostage release,' the official said. 'There are differing political opinions in Israel, but the government is committed to a hostage deal, and that's the line the prime minister is leading. I believe a deal is achievable. It's not simple. Negotiating with Hamas is neither easy nor quick, and I can't give a timeline, but it is within reach.'
According to the official, Hamas's agreement to the Witkoff framework demonstrates a shift in its position. 'This is the result of intense military pressure, strong American involvement, and Washington's desire to achieve a deal. Because of that interest – and the US-Qatar relationship – Qatar is now engaging at a different level.'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Pope Leo XIV that Israel is close to a hostage agreement with Hamas, N12 reported on Friday.
Amichai Stein contributed to this report.
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