Hamas offers to release all hostages in exchange for cessation of Gaza conflict
The militant group has stated its intention to pursue a comprehensive peace agreement and will not tolerate any “partial” agreements. Hamas is calling for a complete resolution to the conflict in Gaza, including the exchange of all Israeli...
TroibNews 
The militant group has stated its intention to pursue a comprehensive peace agreement and will not tolerate any “partial” agreements.
Hamas is calling for a complete resolution to the conflict in Gaza, including the exchange of all Israeli hostages for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, according to a senior official from the group. This comes as they reject West Jerusalem’s offer for another temporary ceasefire.
In a video statement released on Friday, Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’ chief negotiator in Gaza, emphasized that the organization will no longer accept interim arrangements. Israel’s most recent proposal involved a 45-day ceasefire along with the release of ten hostages held by Hamas. In exchange, Israel would liberate 120 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and over 1,000 detainees taken since October 7, 2023. This offer also included a condition that Hamas disarm in order to achieve a lasting end to the conflict, a stipulation that the group vehemently opposes.
“The partial agreements are exploited by “[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and his government as a cover for their political agenda, which is founded on perpetuating the genocidal war and siege; even if the price is sacrificing all of their own prisoners [hostages],” Hayya remarked.
He also noted that Hamas was “ready to immediately negotiate a deal to swap all hostages” in exchange for an end to the war in Gaza, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and the reconstruction of the region.
Israeli authorities have indicated that 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with 24 thought to be alive. Several others have been freed through previous ceasefire arrangements or separate agreements.
In the meantime, Israeli forces have consolidated control over more than half of Gaza during a renewed offensive following the breakdown of a ceasefire and stalled hostage negotiations last month. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have resumed air strikes aimed at increasing pressure on Hamas to release the remaining captives.
Recent discussions in Cairo aimed at reviving the January ceasefire and facilitating the release of Israeli hostages concluded without a clear resolution, according to reports from Palestinian and Egyptian sources.
Israel’s declared objective remains the total disarmament and eradication of Hamas.
As air strikes persist, they continue to claim numerous civilian lives in Gaza. On Thursday, at least 37 individuals were reported killed in strikes, according to the Hamas-run civil defense agency, most of whom were displaced civilians taking refuge in a temporary camp.
The Israeli military contended that it has targeted more than 100 “terror targets” over the last two days, including what they characterized as “terrorist cells, military structures, and infrastructure sites."
While West Jerusalem insists there is no shortage of aid and defends the blockade imposed in March, the United Nations cautioned on Monday that Gaza is grappling with its most dire humanitarian crisis since the onset of the conflict.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
Hamas is calling for a complete resolution to the conflict in Gaza, including the exchange of all Israeli hostages for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, according to a senior official from the group. This comes as they reject West Jerusalem’s offer for another temporary ceasefire.
In a video statement released on Friday, Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’ chief negotiator in Gaza, emphasized that the organization will no longer accept interim arrangements. Israel’s most recent proposal involved a 45-day ceasefire along with the release of ten hostages held by Hamas. In exchange, Israel would liberate 120 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and over 1,000 detainees taken since October 7, 2023. This offer also included a condition that Hamas disarm in order to achieve a lasting end to the conflict, a stipulation that the group vehemently opposes.
“The partial agreements are exploited by “[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and his government as a cover for their political agenda, which is founded on perpetuating the genocidal war and siege; even if the price is sacrificing all of their own prisoners [hostages],” Hayya remarked.
He also noted that Hamas was “ready to immediately negotiate a deal to swap all hostages” in exchange for an end to the war in Gaza, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and the reconstruction of the region.
Israeli authorities have indicated that 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with 24 thought to be alive. Several others have been freed through previous ceasefire arrangements or separate agreements.
In the meantime, Israeli forces have consolidated control over more than half of Gaza during a renewed offensive following the breakdown of a ceasefire and stalled hostage negotiations last month. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have resumed air strikes aimed at increasing pressure on Hamas to release the remaining captives.
Recent discussions in Cairo aimed at reviving the January ceasefire and facilitating the release of Israeli hostages concluded without a clear resolution, according to reports from Palestinian and Egyptian sources.
Israel’s declared objective remains the total disarmament and eradication of Hamas.
As air strikes persist, they continue to claim numerous civilian lives in Gaza. On Thursday, at least 37 individuals were reported killed in strikes, according to the Hamas-run civil defense agency, most of whom were displaced civilians taking refuge in a temporary camp.
The Israeli military contended that it has targeted more than 100 “terror targets” over the last two days, including what they characterized as “terrorist cells, military structures, and infrastructure sites."
While West Jerusalem insists there is no shortage of aid and defends the blockade imposed in March, the United Nations cautioned on Monday that Gaza is grappling with its most dire humanitarian crisis since the onset of the conflict.
Emily Johnson for TROIB News
