In a significant shift in its stance, Hamas has relinquished its earlier demands for extended cease-fires in ongoing hostage negotiations with Israel. Initially, the group sought multiple cease-fires, climaxing in a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, as a condition for releasing the remaining Israeli hostages. However, these demands were unequivocally rejected by Israeli officials as "totally off base."
The Jerusalem Post reports that Hamas is now proposing an alternate deal: the exchange of 120 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel for 40 Israeli hostages. This change in approach follows a series of five-way talks involving Egypt, Qatar, the United States, Israel, and Hamas. Despite these discussions, no consensus has been reached yet, as disclosed by a source close to the negotiations to the Arab World News Agency.
Hamas waives ‘totally off base’ demand for monthslong cease-fire in Israeli hostage negotiation: Report https://t.co/DT5JUj8TYT
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 2, 2024
Hamas's previous proposition included a one-day cease-fire for each released hostage, an offer that Israel also dismissed. An Israeli official, speaking to Axios, indicated that the proposal from Hamas was unacceptable and mediators were urged to devise a more feasible solution.
Concurrently, Israel announced a partial troop withdrawal from Gaza, shifting its military strategy. This move involves more precise strikes against Hamas militants and a reduction in widespread air and artillery attacks. This tactical adjustment aligns with the concerns raised by President Biden's administration and Israel's Western allies about the civilian casualties in Gaza.
Israeli authorities estimate that approximately 133 hostages remain in Gaza, though the U.S. has expressed uncertainty regarding the exact number and the condition of these individuals.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated his expectation for the conflict to persist for several more months, despite this week's strategic changes.
Alarabiya reports that Hamas has given up on a permanent ceasefire and agreed to a month-long one, coupled with prisoner exchange. https://t.co/xJUQCtYULZ
— Hussain Abdul-Hussain (@hahussain) January 2, 2024
Adding to the complex situation, Hussain Abdul-Hussain of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies relayed on Twitter a report from Alarabiya. The report suggested that Hamas has abandoned the idea of a permanent ceasefire and is now agreeable to a month-long truce, coupled with a prisoner exchange. According to Ziad Halabi, Director of the Arabiya office in Palestine, the prospects of a partial prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas are increasing. However, there seems to be no comprehensive plan for Gaza's governance post-conflict, implying that Hamas might have withdrawn their demand to be a part of the ruling coalition in Gaza, at least for the time being.
