Hamas has said that some of the 33 hostages it would release in the first phase of a possible deal with Israel would not necessarily be alive.
In an announcement detailing the clauses accepted in the latest proposed deal on Monday, the terror group said: “During the first phase, Hamas will release 33 Israeli detainees (alive or dead).”
The New York Times reported Tuesday that the terrorist group explicitly told mediators that some of the 33 hostages it would release in the first phase of the potential deal would not be alive. The Times said it was unclear whether the terror group had informed callers how many of the 33 would be alive.
The failure to release 33 live hostages would seem to conflict with Israeli demands.
Israel had initially asked that in the first phase of the three-phase plan, 40 live hostages be released of the 132 still present in Gaza, all belonging to the so-called “humanitarian” category: women, children, the elderly and the sick.
According to multiple reports, it then agreed to lower the number to 33 after Hamas said it did not have enough people alive in this category.
However, the claim that even the 33 under discussion are not all alive appears to be a new step backwards by the terrorist group.
On Monday, Hamas said it had accepted Arab mediators’ latest offer for a three-stage ceasefire deal and hostage-for-prisoner swap. However, Israel said the terms of the deal had been changed and “softened” compared to those approved a few days ago, and that it was unacceptable in its latest form.
Hamas officials said Monday evening that the deal would bring an end to the war, while Israel has repeatedly said that it will not accept a deal that would end the war and that it intends to resume its campaign to destroy Hamas once it any agreement will have been completed.
The United States, which along with Qatar and Egypt played a mediating role in the talks, said it was studying Hamas’ response and would discuss it with Middle Eastern allies.
The specifics laid out by Hamas on Monday differ in part from the reported terms of what the United States hailed a week ago as an “extremely generous” Israeli offer.
Based on details announced so far by Hamas officials and an official briefed on the talks, the deal the terror group said it had agreed to includes:
- A first phase of 42 days, in which Hamas will release 33 hostages in exchange for Israel’s release of Palestinian security prisoners and a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
- A second phase of 42 days, in which Hamas releases all living hostages in exchange for further prisoner releases and an agreement to establish “sustainable calm” in Gaza.
- A third phase in which all the bodies remaining hostage are handed over to Israel and the reconstruction of Gaza begins, along with the end of the total blockade of the Strip.
Israel has always stated that it will not accept an agreement involving a permanent ceasefire and that it will resume the military campaign after any hostage truce agreement, in order to complete its two declared war objectives: freeing the hostages and destroying military capabilities and Hamas government.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also stated that Israel will ensure that there is no future terrorist threat to Israel from Gaza.
Netanyahu’s office said yesterday that Hamas’ offer fell far short of meeting Israel’s essential demands, but that Jerusalem would send negotiators to continue talks with US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
