Hamas announced on Saturday that it would only launch an American-Israeli hostage and the body of four additional captives if Israel complies with the current peace deal in the Gaza Strip, calling it an “exceptional offer” meant to bring the peace back on track.
Long-delayed discussions over the second phase of the ceasefire would need to begin the day after its release, according to a senior Hamas standard who said they would last no longer than 50 days. Israel would also need to halt restrictions on the movement of humanitarian assistance and renounce its position in a proper corridor along Gaza’s front line with Egypt.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to explain the closed-door discussions, said Hamas would moreover demand the release of more Arab captives in exchange for victims.
Edan Alexander, 21, who was born in Tenafly, New Jersey, was the last living American member held in Gaza since Hamas ‘ Oct. 7, 2023, strike that started the war.
Israel has questioned Hamas ‘ give Despite the government’s office closures for the regular Sabbath, there was no immediate response from Israel. Hamas was accused of “manipulation and internal warfare” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s department on Friday, before Hamas formally stated the problems.
The United States said it made a proposal on Wednesday to prolong the peace as the parties work toward a lasting peace. Hamas claimed flexibility in the press while making “entirely impossible” demands in private.
After mature Hamas head Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Cairo on Friday, conversations continued in Egypt. Hamas and Egypt acted as important negotiators in negotiating the peace, and they have continued to hold discussions to bring it back on track.
The intermediaries did not respond right away.
A ceasefire in purgatory In accordance with the peace deal reached in January, Israel and Hamas were scheduled to start discussions in early February about a second period, in which Hamas would discharge all captives in exchange for a sustained peace, but so far only preliminary discussions have been held.
Israel announced that it had consented to a new U.S. proposal that would force Hamas to relieve the majority of captives in exchange for a vague determination to discuss a long-lasting peace after the first phase ended at the beginning of this quarter. Has rejected that present, accusing Israel of violating the signed contract and attempting to destroy the truce.
In order to force Hamas to accept the new plan, Israel has prohibited the distribution of meals, fuel, and other supplies to Gaza’s approximately 2 million Palestinians. It has also cut power to the area.
In exchange for practically 2, 000 Arab prisoners, the first step of the peace, which began on January 19 saw the launch of 25 Jewish victims and the body of eight more. Israeli forces forced a surge in humanitarian aid by returning to a buffer zone along Gaza’s border.
According to an Israeli official, Israel will not secede from the so-called Philadelphi corridor, which runs along the Gaza-Egypt border, as required by the ceasefire agreement. They have cited the need to stop the flow of weapons.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel, killing roughly 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and holding 251 hostages. The group is still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are reportedly still alive, after the majority of the others were freed under ceasefire agreements.
Over 48, 000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel’s military offensive, the Gaza Health Ministry reported, with the majority of the victims being women and children. Without providing any proof, Israel claims to have killed about 20 000 militants.
Nearly everyone in Gaza is dependent on international aid to survive, and the war has destroyed vast areas of the country’s Gazan population.
