Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official in Gaza, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Istanbul, Turkey, Oct 16, 2024. REUTERS/Murad Sezer
Following the announcement of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon on Tuesday, the Hamas terrorist organization announced that it was also willing to negotiate a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
A Hamas official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) it is ready to resume negotiations with Israel.
“We have informed mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey that Hamas is ready for a ceasefire agreement and a serious deal to exchange prisoners,” the official told AFP.
In announcing the Lebanon ceasefire, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke about the possibility of a similar deal in Gaza, addressing the terror group in a statement.
“So, now, Hamas has a choice to make: their only way out is to release the hostages including American citizens which they hold.”
Biden also stated that the devastating war between Hamas and Israel, as well as other Iranian proxies, must be stopped and order restored to the entire region.
Before leaving the podium, Biden added, “Peace is possible.”
Meanwhile, Israeli politicians from the coalition government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were quick to dismiss the idea that the Lebanese ceasefire agreement would lead to a similar agreement in Gaza.
On Thursday morning, a Wall Street Journal report on Biden’s cooperation with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump raised doubts about claims that Hamas has moderated its stance in ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
“U.S. officials concede that Hamas militants haven’t shown signs that they are ready for a Gaza cease-fire deal before Biden leaves office on Jan. 20,” the report claimed.
A careful examination of Hamas’ initial statement after the Lebanon ceasefire deal was announced appears to support this interpretation.
“We praise the central role played by the Islamic resistance in Lebanon [Hezbollah], in supporting the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian resistance, and the great sacrifices made by Hezbollah and its leadership, headed by Martyr Nasrallah,” the Hamas statement read.
“At the same time, we declare our commitment to cooperate with all ceasefire efforts in Gaza, and make sure to stop the war against our people, under the conditions of stopping the war against Gaza that we have agreed upon. This is a ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation forces, the return of the displaced persons and the completion of a prisoner exchange.”
Hamas’ demand for a total ceasefire – to include the withdrawal of IDF troops, the return of evacuated Gazans, and a hostage-Palestinian prisoner exchange – were all reiterated.
Despite statements from Cabinet ministers, including newly appointed Defense Minister Israel Katz, who asserted that Israel intends to “make every effort” to secure a hostage deal, the Israeli government is unlikely to agree to such conditions.
“We intend to make every effort to create the conditions for a new hostage deal and bring everyone home – this is the most important moral goal we are facing now,” Katz said during a Defense Ministry conference on Wednesday.
Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar said a delegation from Egypt was scheduled to visit Israel on Thursday to discuss an “integrated vision” for ending the Gaza War.
The Egyptian plan reportedly does not call for an initial withdrawal of IDF troops from the Gaza Strip. Instead, it outlines a two-month ceasefire during which hostages would be released in stages in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners.
