Hamas: No Prisoner Exchange Deal without Israeli Pullout and Ceasefire in Gaza

𝗜𝘀𝗿𝗮𝗲𝗹𝗶 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝘇𝗮 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. (𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼: 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗯)

Hamas insists on a comprehensive deal involving Israeli withdrawal, a ceasefire, and prisoner release.

The Palestinian Resistance movement, Hamas, confirmed that it is willing to engage in a potential prisoner exchange with Israel, agreeing to a list of 34 captives provided by the Israeli government.

However, the group has made it clear that it will only proceed with the exchange if certain conditions are met, including an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, a ceasefire, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

A senior Hamas official told Reuters that while the group has shown some flexibility by considering Israel’s list of captives, Israel has yet to respond to Hamas’s demands for halting its assault on Gaza. According to the official, any agreement that fails to ensure these key demands will be rejected.

Hamas has stated that these terms—an Israeli withdrawal and a ceasefire—are non-negotiable for bringing an end to the ongoing violence.

The official also emphasized Hamas’ commitment to securing the release of Palestinian prisoners and improving the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. However, they warned that Israel’s refusal to address these terms could lead to further escalation and prolong the suffering of the Palestinian people.

𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞

Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported today that Israeli officials are advocating for a limited, one-time prisoner exchange, which would involve the release of a select number of Israeli captives.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has reportedly been working on a deal to secure this limited exchange, despite significant opposition from factions within the Israeli political establishment.

The newspaper also revealed that Mossad chief David Barnea will travel to Doha tomorrow to engage in critical talks, accompanied by Brett McGurk, US President Joe Biden’s outgoing Middle East envoy.

The mediation efforts are considered to be at a crucial juncture, particularly after a recent video released by Hamas showing Israeli captive Liri Albagh, who criticized the Israeli government for its failure to secure the release of prisoners.

Despite these diplomatic moves, Yedioth Ahronoth noted that the Israeli government is reluctant to discuss any further phases of a peace deal until the first phase—concerning the immediate exchange of prisoners—has been resolved.

Netanyahu’s strategy, according to reports, aims to appease far-right coalition partners while stalling progress on the larger issues of withdrawal and ceasefire.

A senior Israeli military source disclosed that the current situation is far from ideal. They noted that, while a small exchange deal could be reached in the short term, it may not lead to a larger breakthrough in negotiations, and might even diminish future bargaining power for Hamas.

“We have to recognize that any deal at this stage would not be comprehensive, and it risks prolonging the conflict,” the source said.

𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐬

As the war in Gaza continues, humanitarian concerns are growing more urgent. Israel’s assault, which began on October 7, 2023, has created a devastating humanitarian crisis, with over 45,000 Palestinians reported dead and more than 109,000 wounded, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. These figures are expected to rise, with at least 11,000 people still missing, presumed buried under rubble across Gaza.

The war, which Palestinians refer to as “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” began with a military operation launched by Hamas against Israeli territory. Israel reports that 1,139 of its soldiers and civilians were killed in the initial assault, though some Israeli sources have raised questions about the number of casualties resulting from friendly fire.

Human rights groups continue to report that the overwhelming majority of casualties in Gaza are women and children. The war has exacerbated a dire food shortage, with thousands of children among the victims, highlighting the severity of the ongoing famine and the worsening health crisis.

Over two million Palestinians have been displaced across Gaza, with many fleeing to the already overcrowded southern region. The Strip remains under siege, with limited access to essential resources such as food, water, and medical supplies.

The ongoing violence has led to charges of genocide against Israel, as the international community grapples with the scale of the devastation in Gaza. Human rights organizations and political leaders have called for urgent intervention to halt the bloodshed and address the humanitarian emergency before it escalates further.

While international negotiations continue, Hamas remains firm on its demand for a comprehensive deal that includes an Israeli withdrawal and an end to the war. Without these guarantees, the group warns, the cycle of violence is likely to persist.