CAIRO, Egypt: Hamas on Saturday proposed the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for an immediate cessation of the war in Gaza, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the war and the suffering of both captives and civilians in Gaza.
In a statement, Hamas argued that “the world accepts it, but Netanyahu rejects it.”
The Palestinian group expressed frustration over what it described as Netanyahu’s personal ambitions contributing to the ongoing war.
“The blood of Gaza’s children and the occupation’s prisoners are victims of Netanyahu’s ambitions to remain in power and escape prosecution,” the statement read.
The group’s offer came as the Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo for talks with Egyptian mediators on a potential ceasefire.
Hamas has expressed hope that these talks would lead to “real progress” towards ending the war in Gaza.
A senior Hamas official confirmed that their chief negotiator, Khalil Al-Hayya, was leading the delegation.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that a deal to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza could be nearing completion.
Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said that “a very serious deal is taking shape” and that it could be finalised in a matter of days.
Despite these developments, no official ceasefire proposal has been received by Hamas yet, the Palestinian group said.
Media reports have suggested that Israel and Egypt have exchanged draft documents for a ceasefire and hostage release agreement.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said that the military had taken control of a new corridor in southern Gaza, expanding Israel’s security zone.
This move is part of Israel’s ongoing efforts to seize large portions of Gaza, which has been heavily impacted by airstrikes since the war resumed on March 18.
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Israel has also issued evacuation orders for tens of thousands of residents in southern Gaza, particularly in Khan Younis, ahead of planned strikes following rocket fire from the area.
“IDF operations will intensify and expand to other areas throughout most of Gaza,” Katz warned in a statement addressed to residents.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has reported severe shortages of food and clean water, with aid to Gaza cut off for nearly six weeks due to the ongoing conflict.
The European Union has condemned the killings of 15 emergency workers on a rescue mission in Gaza, calling for accountability and the resumption of humanitarian aid.
“Too many Israelis and Palestinians have suffered,” the EU said in a statement, urging the restoration of food and medical supplies to Gaza.
The United Nations has also raised concerns about the growing risks of “forcible transfer” of Palestinians due to Israel’s evacuation orders, warning that such measures could threaten the viability of Gaza’s Palestinian population.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported on Friday that at least 50,912 Palestinians have died since Israel launched the ongoing bombardment campaign on Gaza on October 7, 2023.
