Hamas asserts no hostage negotiations unless Gaza fighting halts; Israel Says No Chance

Israel has firmly rejected Hamas’s demand for a permanent ceasefire before any further negotiations on releasing hostages in Gaza. Talks in Cairo aimed at brokering a truce deal appear to be at an impasse, with both sides digging in their heels.

A senior Hamas official told that a “total ceasefire and a retreat of the Israeli occupation army from the Gaza Strip are a precondition for any serious negotiation” regarding a potential hostage-prisoner swap.

This demand has been met with unwavering resistance from Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterating the country’s position on Thursday: “We are fighting until victory. We will not stop the war until we achieve all its goals — completing the destruction of Hamas and releasing all of our hostages.”

Netanyahu’s blunt statement included a stark ultimatum for Hamas: “surrender or die.” He emphasized that there is no room for negotiation outside of these terms.

The Israeli Prime Minister also expressed his commitment to ensuring that Gaza would no longer pose a threat to Israel after the destruction of Hamas, hinting at a sustained military effort.

Despite the deadlock, there have been intermittent diplomatic efforts. A senior Israeli official revealed that there are currently no active negotiations for a new hostage release agreement with Hamas.

However, Israeli officials have engaged in discussions with Qatari representatives twice this week to explore a potential framework for such a deal.

“We made clear to everyone in Israel and outside of Israel that it’s time to renew the shaping up of a new hostages [release] structure,” the official stated during an off-record press briefing.

He referenced a previous deal in which 105 hostages were released during a week-long ceasefire, noting its success. Israel now appears ready to discuss new stages for hostage releases to bring the remaining 129 individuals home.

“Some people are looking for a small pause — a pause here and there for one week, two weeks, three weeks,” said Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas’s political bureau in Lebanon. “But we want to stop the aggression [completely].”

Hamad expressed concerns that a temporary pause might provide Israel with an opportunity to regroup and launch further attacks.

Hamas’s stance on not negotiating under current conditions was evident as the group sent its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, to Cairo for ongoing hostage talks.

Meanwhile, Israeli negotiating officials met with Qatari sources in Europe, suggesting a diplomatic dance with various players involved.

In a positive development, Mossad director David Barnea held a “positive meeting” in Warsaw with CIA chief Bill Burns and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani earlier this week, according to a source familiar with the talks.

The involvement of international actors adds a layer of complexity to the negotiations.

President Isaac Herzog indicated Israel’s willingness for a humanitarian pause and continued aid to Gaza during a meeting with the president of the French Senate.

“We can allow the entry of 300 or even 400 trucks per day,” he stated, blaming the UN for limiting aid distribution in the Strip. Earlier in the week, Herzog had expressed Israel’s readiness for a humanitarian pause and additional aid to facilitate the release of hostages.

The stalemate in Gaza underscores the deep-rooted animosity between Israel and Hamas. As both sides stand firm in their positions, the region remains on edge, with the international community closely monitoring the situation.

The coming days will reveal whether diplomatic efforts can break the impasse or if the conflict will continue to escalate, further jeopardizing the lives of those caught in the crossfire.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members