Israeli television reported on Friday that the mediators saw a will among some members of Hamas to disclose a small number of hostages to obtain a truce during the end of Ramadan of Eid al-Fitr.
The public broadcaster Kan acknowledged that he was not yet clear what Hamas would ask in exchange for those he publishes, although he said that the released hostages would include intensively in the proposal of the Israeli soldier.
Another Kan journalist said that the agreement focused less on Eid al-Fitr and more to do with the demonstrations that broke out against Hamas throughout Gaza in recent days.
Hamas wants to repress those who participate in demonstrations and cannot do so due to Israel’s takeover operations in Gaza, because the army aims at the terrorist agents it sees outdoors, according to the report.
A ceasefire, even several days, would allow Hamas to slow down demonstrations, which were a major source of distress within the Palestinian terrorist organization, said the network.
Kan’s report came a day after an Arab diplomat told Israel to the Times of Israel that Qatar had presented to Hamas a new American proposal to restore the cease-fire thanks to the liberation of Alexander, in exchange for which President Donald Trump issued a declaration calling for Calm in Gaza and the resumption of negotiations for a permanent finish to the attack on October 7, 2023.
File: Former American president Donald Trump poses for photos with members of the family of Edan Alexander, a hostage run by Hamas, after visiting the tomb of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, on October 7, 2024, in New York. (AP photo / yuki iwamura)
Hamas has already rejected a proposal from the American envoy Witkoff, who sought to extend the first phase of the ceasefire. The group insisted to stick to the terms of the agreement signed in January, which was to have seen negotiations begin in early February for a second phase of the agreement. The phase plan largely envisages the release of all the living hostages remaining in exchange for a complete withdrawal of the Gaza FDI and an end to war.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to end the war until the military and governing capacities of Hamas were dismantled and therefore refused to participate in the second phase, rather pushing in an extension of the temporary ceasefire of phase one. Israel has renewed intensive military operations in all Gaza on March 18.
Hamas has not yet responded to the last American proposal, but Qatari mediators told the terrorist group that compliance would make them good will with Trump, which makes Netanyahu more likely to accept a permanent cease-fire, added the diplomat.
The way Israel will answer it is not clear either.
Bassem Naim, an official of the Hamas political wing, speaks in Istanbul, Türkiye, December 5, 2024. (AP photo / Francisco Seco)
In the midst of talks with mediators, a senior Hamas official said on Friday that negotiations were growing.
“We hope that the next few days will bring a real breakthrough in the war situation, following intensified communications with and between mediators in recent days,” said Bassem Naim, member of the Hamas political bureau, in a statement.
The talks are aimed at “making a cease-fire, open border passages and allowing humanitarian aid,” said Naim.
More importantly, he said, the proposal aims to cause a resumption of “negotiations on the second phase, which must lead to a complete end to war and the withdrawal of the occupation forces”.
