The Palestinian extremist group stated that, if finalized, it would be an "exceptional agreement." Edan Alexander, 21, is an IDF soldier who was kidnapped from his military base during the October 7, 2023, massacre.
The Hamas terrorist group announced Saturday that it will only hand over an American-Israeli and the bodies of four other hostages if Israel implements the ceasefire agreement in place. Gaza Strip, calling it a “exceptional agreement” whose objective is to put the truce back on track.
A senior Hamas official said long-delayed talks on the second phase of the ceasefire should begin on the day of liberation and last no more than 50 days. Israel would also have to end its ban on humanitarian aid and withdraw from a strategic corridor along the Gaza border. Egypt.
Hamas would also demand the release of more Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages, added the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door talks.
Edan Alexander, 21 years old and who grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey, was kidnapped from his military base during the brutal attack launched by the Palestinian terrorist group on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which sparked the war, and He is the last living American citizen being held in the Strip.
Israel questioned Hamas's offer
Israel, where government offices were closed for the weekly Shabbat, had no immediate comment. The prime minister's office, Benjamin Netanyahu, accused Hamas the day before of “manipulation and psychological warfare” after the initial offer was known, before the insurgent group detailed its conditions.
The United States said it submitted a proposal on Wednesday to extend the ceasefire for a few more weeks while a permanent truce is negotiated. According to Washington, the terrorist group is publicly demanding flexibility. while in private he makes “totally unfeasible” demands.
Negotiations continued in Egypt following the arrival of senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya in Cairo on Friday. Egypt and Qatar have acted as key mediators with Hamas to reach the ceasefire and have continued to host talks to get it back on track.
Mediators had no immediate comment.
Under the ceasefire agreement reached in January, Israel and Hamas were to begin negotiations for a second phase - in which Hamas would release all hostages in its possession in exchange for a lasting truce - in early February. but so far there have only been preliminary talks.
Following the end of the first phase earlier this month, Israel announced it had accepted a new US proposal in which the insurgents would hand over half of the remaining hostages in exchange for a vague commitment to negotiate a lasting ceasefire. Hamas rejected that offer and accused Israel of backtracking on the signed agreement and trying to sabotage the truce.
The first phase of the truce, which began on January 19, saw the release of 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight more in exchange for nearly 2.000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces withdrew to a security zone along the Gaza Strip's border and allowed the increased flow of humanitarian aid.
An Israeli official said last month that his country will not withdraw from the so-called Philadelphia corridor along the Israeli-Palestinian border. Gaza and Egypt, as established in the ceasefire agreement due to the need to combat arms smuggling.
The war began when Hamas-led insurgents stormed southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing an estimated 1.200 people—mostly civilians—and taking another 251 hostage. The militants still hold 59, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, after most of the others were released in ceasefire agreements.
The US special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, He warned Hamas on Friday that his country will respond "accordingly" if the Palestinian Islamist group does not respect the deadlines agreed upon in the negotiations to end the conflict with Israel.
"Hamas is betting that time is on its side. That's not the case. Hamas is fully aware of the deadline and must know that we will respond accordingly if it is missed." said in a statement released by the White House.
Hamas confirmed this Friday that it had agreed to resume indirect negotiations with Israel and expressed its willingness to release dual US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, as well as the bodies of four other hostages, in the second phase.
According to sources cited anonymously by the Israeli press on Thursday, the proposal backed by Witkoff included the release of five live hostages in exchange for a 50-day ceasefire in Gaza, during which negotiations would be held on the continuation of the agreement.
The US statement recalled that the "bridge" proposal was presented Wednesday night in Doha to extend the ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover, thus gaining time to negotiate a framework for a permanent cessation of hostilities.
"Through our Qatari and Egyptian partners, Hamas was told, in no uncertain terms, that this 'bridge' would have to be implemented soon and that Edan Alexander, an American and Israeli citizen, should be released immediately," he added.
The note highlighted that US President Donald Trump has made it clear that Hamas "will pay a heavy price" if it does not release the hostages "immediately."
"Unfortunately, Hamas has decided to respond by publicly asserting its flexibility and privately formulating demands that are completely impractical without a permanent ceasefire.", was considered from Washington.
In the statement released by Hamas on Friday, however, the Islamist group reiterated its "total willingness" to reach a comprehensive agreement that includes everything agreed upon for the second phase and once again urged Israel to "fully comply with its obligations."
(With information from AP)
Source: INFOBAE
Only blackmail from terrorists, Israel is wasting a lot of time, the days are running out, Mr. DONALD TRUMP supports them, he already attacked Yemen from the HOUTIS, and only IRAN remains, the head of the snake, and there are no movements from the HEBREW STATE. Time is running out and running, and HAMAS psychologically wins over the weak Jews.