Report: Hamas Ready to Release Hostages in Exchange for Ceasefire

Senior Hamas officials conveyed to mediators last night (Tuesday) that they are open to discussing an agreement for the release of some captives in exchange for a substantial ceasefire. This was reported by the Wall Street Journal.

This marks the first time that Hamas is allowing discussions on such a deal, after insisting for weeks that it would only negotiate the release of captives as part of a comprehensive agreement that would lead to a permanent end to the war that has been raging in Gaza since Hamas' murderous terrorist attack on October 7.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniya kisses freed Palestinian prisoner Yehiye Sinwar, a founder of Hamas' military wing, wave as Hamas supporters celebrate the release of hundreds of prisoners in the Shalit deal. (Photo: Abed Rahim Khatib, Flash90)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office provided no immediate response, but sources in Israel confirmed that they are willing to consider such a deal. Hamas did not immediately respond to the request for comment.

Hamas's latest proposal comes as clashes intensify in the last major stronghold of the organization, the city of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. Israel claims that senior Hamas officials are hiding in tunnels beneath Khan Yunis with at least some of the captives.

Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' political chief in Gaza, meets with General Abbas Kamel, Egypt's intelligence chief, as Kamel arrives for a meeting with leaders of Hamas in Gaza City. May 31, 2021. (Photo: Abed Rahim Khatib, Flash90)

Official sources in Egypt said that Hamas has expressed openness to a deal to release all the female and child captives. About 130 captives remain in custody in Gaza, including 19 women and two children.

Mediators said that Hamas's move follows an Israeli proposal seeking the release of all captives in exchange for up to three months of a ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from several areas in Gaza, and approval for Palestinian civilians to move freely.

Yahya Sinwar, leader of the Palestinian Hamas movement meets with General Abbas Kamel, Egypt's intelligence chief , as he arrives for a meeting with leaders of Hamas in Gaza City (Photo: Atia Mohammed, Flash90)

Both sides rejected multiple proposals made through Egypt and Qatar after the last ceasefire ended on November 30. The latest development does not necessarily mean that an agreement is imminent, and talks may still collapse, said official sources.

Israeli official sources told their Egyptian and Qatari counterparts that they are still skeptical about a possible breakthrough in the talks, but are willing to continue discussing the possible parameters of a deal, said the official sources.