Hamas stated on Monday that it is willing to release all Israeli captives in exchange for a” critical prisoner swap” and an Israeli commitment to put an end to the Gaza Strip war.
Older Hamas national Taher al-Nunu told AFP on Monday that” we are ready to transfer all Israeli prisoners in exchange for a major prisoner swap agreement, the end of the war, the Israeli forces ‘ departure from the Gaza Strip, and the influx of humanitarian help.”
He claimed that Israel was slowing down progress toward a ceasefire, noting that the occupation was breaking its promises, preventing the implementation of the ceasefire, and continuing the conflict. He added that Hamas demands guarantees to make sure that Israel adheres to any upcoming agreements.
A new proposal, according to Israeli news outlet Ynet, would allow Hamas to release 10 hostages who are still alive in exchange for a US guarantee that Israel would engage in ceasefire negotiations.
The hostage-prisoner exchanges that started on January 19 and continued through the second phase of the ceasefire broke down after two months. Israel resumed airstrikes in Gaza on March 18, effectively putting an end to the truce. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that airstrikes were just the beginning and that combat operations were now “in full force.”
Negotiations to rekindle a truce have stalled, reportedly because of differences over how many hostages Hamas is willing to release. Hamas has also steadfastly refused to disarm, which is still one of Israel’s most important prerequisites for the end of the conflict. Nunu remarked that” the weapons of the resistance are non-negotiable.”
According to an AFP count based on Israeli government figures, the war broke out after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1, 218 people, most of them civilians. Additionally, 251 hostages were taken by soldiers, of which 58 are still thought to be in Gaza, including 34, who the Israeli military claims are dead.
At least 1, 574 Palestinians have died since March 18, according to a report from the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry on Sunday, bringing the total death toll to 494, up from the previous 50 to 944.
