Hamas has abandoned its months-long call for a ceasefire in hostage negotiations with Israel, after Israeli officials dismissed the request as “completely off-base” on Tuesday.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Hamas negotiators had demanded multiple ceasefires that would lead to a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza in exchange for the remaining Israeli hostages. The terrorist group now says it is willing to exchange 120 Palestinian prisoners and 40 hostages held by Israel.
“Five-party talks between Egypt, Qatar, the US, Israel and Hamas are ongoing, but so far no agreement has been reached,” a source close to the negotiations told Arab World News Agency.
According to the official, Hamas also requested a one-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of each hostage, but Israel reportedly rejected this offer.
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Hamas has abandoned its months-long call for a ceasefire in hostage negotiations with Israel, after Israeli officials dismissed the request as “completely off-base” on Tuesday. (Jennifer Mitchell, FOX News Digital)
An Israeli official told Axios: “The proposal we received from Hamas on Sunday was completely off base. We asked the arbitrators to come up with a more acceptable proposal. They are working on it and what Let’s see if it happens.”
The negotiations came after Israel announced a partial withdrawal of its troops from Gaza. Military officials said the war had entered a new phase, calling for more targeted attacks on Hamas militants and a reduction in heavy airstrikes and artillery bombardment.
The change in pace is in line with requests from President Biden's administration and Israel's other Western allies, who have repeatedly sounded the alarm about civilian casualties in Gaza.
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The resumption of hostage negotiations came after Israel announced a partial withdrawal of troops from Gaza. Military officials said the war had entered a new phase, calling for more targeted attacks on Hamas militants and a reduction in heavy airstrikes and artillery bombardment. (AP/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israeli officials believe there are approximately 133 hostages remaining in Gaza, but the United States warns there is no way to confirm how many of them are still alive.
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Israeli officials believe there are approximately 133 hostages remaining in Gaza, but the United States warns there is no way to confirm how many of them are still alive. (IDF)
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he expected the war to last “several more months” despite a change in strategy this week.
