Hamas Signals Willingness to Accept Hostage Deal if Ceasefire is Included

Hamas has reportedly informed mediators that it is willing to accept any proposal to release Israeli hostages, provided it includes a resumption of a ceasefire, according to sources within the group cited by UK-based Qatari news outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed on Thursday.

The report claims that Hamas did not outright reject the proposal put forth by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

Instead, the group asserted that it had agreed to the framework under the condition that it would lead to a renewed ceasefire. However, Hamas was reportedly surprised when Witkoff rejected this condition, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.

Egyptian Mediation Efforts Intensify

Egyptian sources cited by the Qatari-owned news organization indicated that an Israeli delegation visited Cairo for a few hours on Wednesday evening.

A Hamas delegation is expected to arrive in the Egyptian capital later on Thursday to discuss ongoing negotiations with Egyptian officials.

Egypt had introduced a new ceasefire proposal on Tuesday, which included the release of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander and the transfer of five bodies of hostages.

The proposal also aligned with Witkoff’s framework, which called for the gradual release of half of the remaining Israeli hostages over the coming weeks.

According to Kan News, Egyptian mediators have been working intensively to persuade Hamas to accept the US envoy’s framework. The discussions are part of ongoing efforts to de-escalate hostilities between Israel and Hamas, which have intensified in recent days.

Israel’s Response and Negotiation Stance

Israeli sources have indicated that the government is continuing discussions regarding the hostage issue, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Kan News report noted that these discussions confirmed Hamas has not altered its negotiating stance since Israel’s military operations escalated on Tuesday.

The proposed deal, according to the report, would involve the release of multiple Israeli hostages held by Hamas and other militant factions in Gaza in exchange for a temporary cessation of hostilities.

Israeli officials are reportedly evaluating the terms of the framework while maintaining pressure on Hamas through ongoing military actions.

Despite mediation efforts, significant gaps remain between Israel’s demands and Hamas’s conditions for a ceasefire-linked hostage deal.

The latest reports highlight the fragility of ongoing negotiations, with both sides maneuvering to secure favorable terms amid continued military tensions.

Egypt’s role as a key mediator remains critical in determining whether a breakthrough can be achieved in the coming days.

However, with Hamas insisting on a ceasefire as a prerequisite and Israel continuing military operations, the likelihood of an immediate resolution remains uncertain.