Hamas Refuses to Disarm, Demands Guarantees for Ceasefire

Negotiations Underway in Cairo

A senior Hamas official has announced that the Palestinian group is prepared to release all Israeli hostages in exchange for a “serious prisoner swap” and guarantees that Israel will end the war in Gaza. The statement comes as Hamas is engaged in negotiations in Cairo with mediators from Egypt and Qatar, two nations working alongside the US to broker a ceasefire in the besieged territory.

“We are ready to release all Israeli captives in exchange for a serious prisoner swap deal, an end to the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the entry of humanitarian aid,” Taher al-Nunu, a senior Hamas official, told AFP.

Accusations of Obstruction

However, Nunu accused Israel of obstructing progress towards a ceasefire. “The issue is not the number of captives,” Nunu said, “but rather that the occupation is reneging on its commitments, blocking the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and continuing the war.” He added that Hamas has stressed the need for guarantees to compel Israel to uphold the agreement.

New Proposal on the Table

Israeli news website Ynet reported that a new proposal had been put to Hamas. Under the deal, the group would release 10 living hostages in exchange for US guarantees that Israel would enter negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire. The first phase of the ceasefire, which began on January 19 and included multiple hostage-prisoner exchanges, lasted two months before disintegrating. Efforts towards a new truce have stalled, reportedly over disputes regarding the number of hostages to be released by Hamas.

Hamas Refuses to Disarm

Meanwhile, Nunu said that Hamas would not disarm, a key condition that Israel has set for ending the war. “The weapons of the resistance are not up for negotiation,” Nunu said.

Background to the Conflict

The war in Gaza broke out after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Gunmen also took 251 hostages, 58 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Gaza’s health ministry reported yesterday that at least 1,574 Palestinians had been killed since March 18, when the ceasefire collapsed, taking the overall death toll since the war began to 50,944.

Conclusion

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with both sides refusing to budge on key issues. Hamas is refusing to disarm, while Israel is demanding that the group surrender its weapons before a ceasefire can be reached. The conflict has already claimed thousands of lives, and it remains to be seen whether a new proposal can be put forward that addresses the concerns of both sides.

FAQs

Q: What is the current situation in Gaza?

A: The situation in Gaza remains tense, with ongoing violence and a large number of casualties.

Q: What is Hamas demanding in exchange for releasing Israeli hostages?

A: Hamas is demanding a “serious prisoner swap” and guarantees that Israel will end the war in Gaza.

Q: What is Israel demanding in exchange for a ceasefire?

A: Israel is demanding that Hamas disarm before a ceasefire can be reached.

Q: What is the current death toll in the conflict?

A: The overall death toll since the war began is 50,944, with at least 1,574 Palestinians killed since March 18.