According to Times of Israel, A senior Palestinian official involved in the ongoing hostage negotiations has revealed that Hamas is open to a phased ceasefire deal but would be willing to release all remaining hostages immediately if Israel agrees to end the war outright. The official, who spoke to The Times of Israel on condition of anonymity, offered new insight into the group’s negotiating stance as international mediators continue to push for a breakthrough in the conflict.
According to the official, Hamas is prepared to accept an interim ceasefire that would lead to a permanent truce, but insisted that the current focus on a phased approach is driven by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to commit to ending the war. “All of this talk about the phases is because of Netanyahu,” the official said, highlighting the central role of the Israeli leader in shaping the negotiations.
The official emphasized that Hamas would be ready to return all hostages at once if Israel agreed upfront to end the war. “Hamas is prepared to return all of the hostages now if Netanyahu agrees to end the war,” the official added. This statement underscores the group’s preference for a comprehensive agreement over a piecemeal process, which has been the subject of intense debate in recent weeks.
The latest comments come amid a flurry of diplomatic activity, with mediators from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar working to broker a deal that would see the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a pause in hostilities. Previous agreements have included phased releases and temporary ceasefires, but Hamas has consistently signaled its willingness to trade all hostages for a definitive end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza
The official’s remarks reflect the ongoing impasse in negotiations, with both sides reluctant to make concessions that could be seen as capitulation. While Israel has expressed openness to temporary truces and partial releases, it has stopped short of agreeing to a permanent ceasefire or a full withdrawal from Gaza, citing security concerns. Hamas, meanwhile, has framed the hostage issue as leverage for a broader settlement that addresses its core demands.
As the negotiations continue, the families of hostages and international observers are closely watching for signs of progress. The Palestinian official’s comments highlight the key sticking point in the talks: the linkage between the release of hostages and a permanent end to the conflict. With both sides entrenched in their positions, the prospect of a breakthrough remains uncertain, but the willingness of Hamas to consider a phased deal offers a potential path forward if incremental progress can be made toward a lasting resolution.
The situation remains fluid, and the coming days are likely to be critical in determining whether the current diplomatic efforts can overcome the deep divisions and bring an end to the suffering of civilians on both sides.
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