Relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza hold a press conference in Tel Aviv, November 23, 2024. (Photo: Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
The Iranian-backed terrorist organization Hamas has denied rumors that it would be prepared to accept a hostage agreement without a ceasefire in the war with Israel in the Gaza Strip, according to a report by the Israeli public broadcaster, Kan News.
On Thursday, unnamed Israeli security sources indicated that Hamas leaders were becoming increasingly interested in any agreement.
“Hamas is under severe pressure; it has not surrendered, but it is probable that it is interested in an agreement,” the source Kan News.
“We are close to a deal. Even if there is opposition in the government, the deal will go through. They accused the prime minister of not wanting a deal, but Hamas didn’t want a deal. Now a deal is in Hamas’ interest,” the source claimed without elaborating.
However, according to the Kan News report a Palestinian source close to the hostage deal negotiations said Hamas has ruled out agreeing to release the remaining Israeli hostages without a permanent ceasefire. This is a position that the terror group has consistently maintained even as its military and political power have significantly weakened after a year of fighting.
Hamas, aiming to preserve its leadership in Gaza, is demanding “guarantees of ending the war,” a condition rejected by the Israeli government, which argues that it would allow Hamas to regroup and pose a renewed threat to the Jewish state in the future.
Hamas previously viewed its ally in Lebanon, the Hezbollah terrorist organization, as a strategic asset to increase pressure on Israel’s northern border. The Israel Defense Forces have delivered severe blows to Hezbollah in recent months, however, and Hamas is said to no longer believe that Hezbollah remains fully committed to the multi-front war against Israel.
In addition, Hamas leaders are reportedly concerned that a potential ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel would weaken Hamas’ position in any possible negotiations.
The current war began on Oct. 7, 2023, last year when Hamas terrorists and its allies invaded southern Israel, massacring 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping 251 people. While the first hostage release agreement was implemented in November 2023, which saw the release of about 100 mostly women, children and the elderly, Hamas has rejected all international efforts to secure the release of the remaining 101 hostages held captive in Gaza.
Israeli intelligence concluded in April that the late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was not interested in a deal and hoped to provoke a full-scale regional war between Israel and the Iranian-led axis.
In October, following the Israeli military’s targeted operation that eliminated Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza, there was renewed optimism that Hamas might agree to a hostage release. To encourage the release of captives, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced significant financial incentives and guarantees of safe passage for anyone aiding in the effort to secure the freedom of the hostages. Netanyahu has offered millions of dollars in rewards per freed hostage, along with assurances of safe passage out of Gaza for those facilitating their return.
However, the remaining Hamas leaders continue to reject all offers and demand a complete end to the war. Israel has vowed that Hamas will not remain a military and political force in Gaza after the war.
It is currently unclear whether Hamas will be able to continue embracing its current position as it becomes weaker as an organization. Qatar, a regime with close ties to Hamas, recently expelled Hamas leaders from its capital Doha following pressure from the Biden administration.
“After rejecting repeated proposals to release hostages, its leaders should no longer be welcome in the capitals of any American partner,” a Biden administration official said, referring to Hamas and Qatar.
