Hostages, Karina Ariev, Daniela Gilboa, Lili Albag and Agam Berger

Israel Accepts Latest Hostage Deal, Hamas Trying To Cloud The Narrative

Details
The Judean Staff
National

Efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas have reached a critical impasse, with the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office accusing the terror group of deliberately stalling negotiations. According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, Hamas is actively “trying to hide the fact that it continues to oppose a deal to release hostages and thwarts it.”

Israel Accepts U.S. Proposal, Hamas Rejects

The Israeli government has accepted a 'final bridging proposal' presented by the United States on August 16. However, Hamas rejected this proposal outright, even committing heinous acts against hostages. “While Israel accepted the ‘final bridging proposal’ that the US brought up on August 16, Hamas turned it down, and even murdered 6 of our hostages in cold blood,” the statement from the Prime Minister's Office declared, underscoring the terror group's refusal to engage in constructive dialogue.

Hamas' Deceptive Tactics

In an attempt to muddy the waters, Hamas falsely claimed agreement to a previous proposal, misleading the international community. They asserted readiness to implement a ceasefire based on a July proposal by President Biden—a proposal they had initially rejected. Hamas stated, via their Telegram channel, that they are prepared to honor agreements made on July 2, without any new conditions. However, the group rejected any alterations or new terms to the agreement, creating a façade of cooperation while resisting genuine progress.

Ongoing Negotiations Amidst Misinformation

Despite their stated willingness to continue negotiations, Hamas has placed unrealistic demands that have stalled the talks. They have called for a ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from Gaza, and the exchange of prisoners. The statement from Netanyahu’s office responded unequivocally, demanding that “the world must demand from Hamas that it release our hostages immediately.”

U.S. Seeks New Hostage Deal Formula

On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated that a new formula for a hostage deal would be proposed to both Israel and Hamas "very soon." However, confidence in a swift resolution remains low. As of now, 97 of the 251 hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 are believed to be in Gaza, including the remains of at least 33 confirmed dead by the IDF.

Diplomatic Efforts by Egypt and Qatar

A delegation led by Qatar's Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdel Rahman al-Thani, and the head of Egyptian intelligence, Abbas Kamal, engaged with the Hamas negotiation team on Wednesday in Doha. The meeting, chaired by Khalil al-Hiya, deputy head of Hamas' political bureau, aimed to break the deadlock. Sources revealed that the discussions focused on persuading Hamas to retract their new demands, particularly the release of additional Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences in Israel.

Hamas' New Demands Block Progress

Senior American officials have identified Hamas’ new demands as the primary hurdle. A senior Israeli official confirmed the negotiations are at a "complete impasse," citing Hamas’ insistence on altering terms to include individuals who committed acts of murder. These additional demands have also dampened hopes for a breakthrough in the Doha meeting.

The Biden administration has grown increasingly skeptical about the feasibility of an imminent deal due to Hamas' shifting positions. Both Israeli and American officials have noted that Hamas is now demanding the release of 100 more prisoners, on top of the 150 previously agreed upon. This change has prompted U.S. appeals to Egypt and Qatar to intensify pressure on Hamas to withdraw its new conditions.

White House Remains Cautious

White House spokesperson John Kirby expressed ongoing concerns, noting, “What is not clear to us is whether we will succeed in reaching this and whether Hamas will agree to come to the negotiating table honestly and sign something.” His remarks underscore the tenuous nature of the current negotiations, with little optimism for an immediate resolution.

History of Hostage Releases

Hamas has released 105 civilians during a brief truce in late November and four hostages were freed earlier. Additionally, eight hostages have been rescued by Israeli forces, and the bodies of 37 hostages have been recovered, including three who were mistakenly killed by the Israeli military during escape attempts. Hamas continues to hold two Israeli civilians who entered Gaza in 2014 and 2015, along with the remains of two IDF soldiers killed in 2014.

Conclusion: Global Community Must Demand Hostage Release

As negotiations remain gridlocked, the international community must not lose sight of the fundamental issue: the release of innocent hostages. The Israeli government insists that pressure be placed on Hamas to release the captives immediately, without conditions. The ongoing deception and obstruction by Hamas highlight the urgent need for global intervention to secure the hostages' freedom and hold the terror group accountable for its actions.

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