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Edited by: Fern Sidman
In a highly anticipated development, the Hamas terror group has unveiled its response to a proposed hostages-for-ceasefire deal with Israel, signaling a potential breakthrough in the ongoing conflict, the Jewish News Syndicate reported. However, Jerusalem swiftly dismissed Hamas’s announcement, characterizing it as a rejection of the proposed framework.
Hamas’s statement, released on Tuesday night, asserted that it had approached the proposal with a “positive spirit.” JNS reported that the group outlined its conditions for a comprehensive ceasefire, which included ending “aggression” against Palestinians, facilitating relief efforts, lifting the blockade on the Gaza Strip, and pursuing a prisoner exchange.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdurrahman Al Thani announced the response during a news conference with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said he would brief Israeli leaders on it Wednesday when he meets with them, according to an Associated Press report on Tuesday.
Blinken, who met with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman the day before, said the Saudis still have a “strong interest” in normalizing relations with Israel but require an end to the war and a “clear, credible, time-bound path to the establishment of a Palestinian state.”
The AP said that Qatar, which has long mediated with Hamas, has been working with the U.S. and Egypt to broker a cease-fire that would involve a halt in fighting for several weeks and the release of the over 100 hostages still held by Hamas after its October 7 massacre that ignited the war.
One hundred and five hostages, mostly women and children, were released last year as part of a ceasefire deal, which Hamas broke when it refused to hand over the last group of captives.
Hamas is refusing a new deal along the lines of the November agreement, Saudi Arabia’s Al Arabiya previously reported. JNS reported that as part of that deal, Israel released hundreds of female and teenage Palestinian security prisoners, in addition to pausing its military campaign in Gaza.
The terrorist group is demanding that Israel release more Palestinian security prisoners in exchange for each of the remaining hostages. Hamas is reportedly insisting that Israel free terrorists arrested on October 7, the JNS report said.
Hamas is also seeking guarantees for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and a total end to the war—a stance that is incompatible with Israel’s stated goal of destroying the terrorist group.
Expressing gratitude for the mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar, and other nations, Hamas emphasized the need for a concerted international effort to halt the violence and alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, the JNS report said. Despite these overtures, senior officials in Jerusalem, cited by the Ynet news site, indicated that Hamas’s demands were unreasonable and untenable for Israel.
“In any case, Israel will not stop the fighting. Hamas’s response amounts to a negative answer,” the officials asserted, underscoring Israel’s steadfast commitment to its objectives in confronting terrorism and ensuring the security of its citizens. The Prime Minister’s Office is reportedly in the process of formulating an official response to the mediators, maintaining Israel’s stance in the face of Hamas’s overtures.
When asked by reporters, President Joe Biden said, “there was a response from Hamas, but it seems to be a bit excessive. We are not sure where it is. There are ongoing negotiations at the moment.”
Blinken acknowledged “there’s still a lot of work to be done.” But he said he still believed an agreement on the hostages was possible and that a pathway to more lasting peace and security in the region was “coming ever more sharply into focus.”
“We know the immense benefits that would come for everyone concerned with Israel’s further integration into the region, starting with the benefits for Israel,” Blinken said, as was reported by the AP. “That’s something that Israelis will have to decide for themselves.”
“All of this requires difficult, hard decisions, made all the more challenging given the focus on the conflict in Gaza,” Blinken said.
As discussions continue, the fate of the hostages held by Hamas remains a pressing concern. Official figures indicate that 136 individuals remain captive in Gaza, with at least 32 confirmed deaths reported by the Israel Defense Forces, according to the JNS report. Jerusalem is also assessing unconfirmed reports suggesting that additional captives may have perished during their ordeal.
Hamas’s abduction of more than 240 people during its violent incursion into southern Israel underscored the group’s ruthless tactics and disregard for human life. As was noted in the JNS report, despite previous efforts to secure the release of hostages through ceasefire agreements, Hamas’s refusal to adhere to the terms has prolonged the suffering of innocent civilians and exacerbated tensions in the region.
A recent survey by the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies found that 61% of Israelis believe that the war must continue until Hamas is destroyed, even if that means not all of the hostages will return, as per the JNS report.
According to a snap poll conducted by Israel’s Channel 12 last week, 50% of Israelis oppose a deal that would see an extended pause in the fighting in Gaza and the release of thousands of Palestinian terrorists. The report added that only 35% support the terms of the reported agreement, with the rest undecided.
Also on Tuesday, Israel National News reported that Chairman of the National Unity party, Minister Benny Gantz, called a press conference and commented on the talks regarding the hostage deal and the continuation of the fighting.
Minister Gantz said that “there is no other country in the world, where young people board a plane to return to Israel, leave businesses, leave families, and arrive within hours on the battlefield. First, I want to say thank you, on behalf of the entire people of Israel, to the hundreds of thousands of reservists, some of whom have been released and some of whom are still on the front line or in the home command,” as was reported by INN.
Gantz attacked the discourse in the political echelon and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. “Unfortunately, in recent days there are those who have forgotten this in the leadership and are conducting a divisive discourse in the Knesset. They have turned the cabinet meetings into performances to attack the IDF. They compare the television studios to our enemies. To those who murdered our daughters and sons.”
“Being a public leader in a time of crisis is a great responsibility. I call on everyone from all sides of the political map, one moment before you speak – think about the soldiers and the hostages, think about where we ended up, and why. The citizens of Israel deserve more than this from us,” he said, according to the INN report.
Regarding the hostages, he said, “We are working these days to promote an outline for the return of our hostages. This is the result of military pressure, of our resilience as a society that desires life, and of policy actions we are taking, including the involvement of the dear and brave families of the hostages.”
“They have so much determination. The return of the hostages is an integral part of our victory and does not replace our duty to remove the threat of Hamas. If we achieve this goal – it will be a step on the way to victory.”
In news from the front in Gaza, in a decisive move against terrorism, Israeli forces have targeted and neutralized key perpetrators linked to the heinous massacre at Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. As was reported by the JNS on Tuesday, the IDF confirmed the elimination of a Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist responsible for the brutal attack, marking a significant victory in the ongoing battle against terrorism in the region.
The targeted airstrike, guided by precise intelligence, struck the terrorist in Deir al-Balah, located in the central Gaza Strip. This successful operation serves as a stern message to those who perpetrate violence against innocent civilians, underscoring Israel’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its citizens and upholding peace and security in the region.
The massacre at Kibbutz Nir Oz, which claimed the lives of numerous civilians and led to the abduction of others, remains etched in the collective memory of the nation. According to the information provided in the JNS report, approximately one-quarter of the kibbutz’s residents were either killed or kidnapped during the attack. The tragic events of October 7 reverberated across Israel, igniting a renewed determination to root out terrorism at its core.
In the aftermath of the massacre, the Israeli military intensified its offensive against Hamas, the terrorist group responsible for orchestrating countless acts of violence and aggression. Focusing on Khan Yunis, Gaza’s second-largest city and a stronghold of Hamas leadership, Israeli forces conducted raids and operations aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure and neutralizing imminent threats.
The 98th Division played a pivotal role in the campaign, engaging in fierce battles in western Khan Yunis to clear areas both above and below ground. The JNS report also said that confrontations with armed Hamas terrorists, disguised in civilian attire, underscored the challenges faced by Israeli troops in confronting a ruthless enemy determined to sow chaos and destruction.
Throughout the operation, Israeli forces demonstrated exceptional courage and skill, thwarting numerous attacks and apprehending scores of terrorism suspects, including those directly involved in the October 7 atrocities, as was indicated in the JNS report. From targeted airstrikes to ground assaults, the IDF deployed a range of tactics to dismantle terrorist networks and prevent further bloodshed.
In addition to Khan Yunis, Israeli forces conducted operations in Beit Hanun and other areas of the Gaza Strip, targeting terrorists and disrupting their nefarious activities. The coordinated efforts of various military units, including infantry brigades and the navy, yielded significant results, dealing a severe blow to Hamas’s capabilities and infrastructure.
In the midst of escalating tensions and military operations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to pursue a path of “complete victory” against Hamas, emphasizing the importance of securing the nation’s borders and safeguarding its citizens from the threat of terrorism, the report on JNS said.
Addressing reporters at a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant provided updates on the progress of the IDF’s operation in Khan Yunis, asserting that significant gains have been made in disrupting Hamas’s capabilities, as per the JNS report. Gallant indicated that Israeli forces are poised to advance further south to Rafah, the last remaining stronghold of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“Our forces operate on the ground in most of the territory of the Gaza Strip,” Gallant stated, highlighting the dismantling of 18 Hamas battalions and the neutralization of a significant portion of the terrorist organization’s operatives, as was reported by the JNS. He praised the courage and professionalism of Israeli troops, noting their success in targeting Hamas strongholds and disrupting underground tunnels used by terrorists.
“The forces are moving with courage and professionalism in the tunnels that were once the safest place for the terrorists, and now we are increasing the pressure on the terrorists and the leaders of the terrorist organizations,” Gallant continued.
Israeli intelligence suggests that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a key figure in orchestrating acts of violence against Israel along with Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas’ military wing, is increasingly preoccupied with his own survival and may no longer exert full command over the terrorist group, as was noted in the JNS report. Despite this, Gallant affirmed that the IDF remains committed to pursuing Sinwar and holding him accountable for his actions.
Sinwar, along with other Hamas leaders, is believed to be hiding in southern Gaza, where he has reportedly taken Israeli hostages as human shields. JNS also reported that Gallant issued a stern warning to terrorists in Rafah, emphasizing that they face the same fate as those targeted in previous operations if they do not surrender.
“Every terrorist hiding in Rafah should know that his end will be like those in Khan Yunis, Gaza [City] or any other place in the Gaza Strip—surrender or death, there is no third choice,” Gallant warned.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to achieving “total victory” in the ongoing conflict, describing it as essential for Israel’s security and regional stability. Speaking at the IDF Armored Corps Memorial Site and Museum in Latrun, Netanyahu spotlighted the need to deal a “mortal blow” to terrorist entities such as Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas, whose actions threaten the peace and security of the Middle East, according to the information provided in the JNS report.
Netanyahu also placed a focus on the gravity of the situation, warning of the dire consequences of failing to achieve total victory. The JNS report added that he emphasized that Israel will not rest until its objectives are met, reaffirming the government’s determination to restore security to both the southern and northern regions of the country.
