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In a significant development, Hamas has expressed readiness to release all Israeli hostages in exchange for a comprehensive prisoner swap deal, alongside an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.
The senior Hamas official, Taher al-Nunu, made the announcement during ongoing negotiations in Cairo with mediators from Egypt and Qatar, who are working with the United States to broker a ceasefire.
Nunu told AFP that Hamas is prepared to release the Israeli captives in exchange for a “serious prisoner swap,” which includes key conditions such as the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the cessation of hostilities, and the entry of much-needed humanitarian aid into the region.
“We are ready to release all Israeli captives in exchange for a serious prisoner swap deal, an end to the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the entry of humanitarian aid,” said Nunu.
He emphasized that the core issue is not merely the number of captives but the ongoing Israeli blockade on efforts to reach a ceasefire. Hamas has insisted that any ceasefire agreement must be backed by firm guarantees to ensure Israel upholds its end of the deal.
Despite the talks, Nunu accused Israel of obstructing progress toward a ceasefire agreement. He pointed to Israel’s refusal to fulfill its commitments under previous ceasefire arrangements, continuing military actions in Gaza, and blocking the entry of vital aid as significant hurdles in the negotiations.
“The issue is not the number of captives,” Nunu remarked, “but rather that the occupation is reneging on its commitments, blocking the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and continuing the war.” He underscored that Hamas’ demands are aimed at ensuring that Israel would adhere to any negotiated ceasefire.
As the negotiations unfold, reports suggest that a new proposal has been put forward to Hamas. Under this proposal, Hamas would release 10 living Israeli hostages in exchange for U.S. assurances that Israel would engage in talks for a second phase of the ceasefire.
The specifics of this potential deal have not yet been confirmed, but the proposal appears to be a step toward breaking the deadlock in the ongoing talks. The latest developments come after weeks of intense military conflict, which has led to significant casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza.
The international community has been calling for an immediate ceasefire, with concerns growing about the humanitarian crisis in the region. The negotiations in Cairo represent one of the few remaining diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation and bringing an end to the violence.
While the path to a ceasefire remains uncertain, the possibility of a prisoner swap and the end of hostilities presents a potential breakthrough in the ongoing conflict.
However, both sides face significant obstacles, including the deep-rooted political and military tensions that have characterized the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community remains on edge, hoping for a peaceful resolution.
