Hamas has rejected a US-mediated hostage deal that would have seen 40 Israeli hostages return home, a statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office revealed on Sunday.
“The rejection of the proposal by the three mediators, which included significant flexibility on Israel’s part, proves that Hamas is not interested in a humanitarian deal and in the return of the hostages. It continues to exploit tensions with Iran and seeks escalation in the region,” the statement says.
According to Politico, citing sources familiar with the US-mediated negotiations in Doha, Hamas proposed a six-week ceasefire and the exchange of 900 Arab prisoners—including 100 serving life sentences for murder and other serious crimes—from Israeli jails in exchange for 40 Israeli hostages of 153 considered ‘humanitarian’ cases, such as women, children, the sick, and the elderly.
Instead of accepting, Hamas demanded a “clear written commitment” from Israel for a permanent withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. It also called for the unrestricted return of Arab civilians to their homes, an increase in the flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave, and the start of rehabilitation efforts.
Meanwhile, reports have been circulating that Hamas doesn’t know the whereabouts of all of the remaining hostages it took in October, stoking fears that a significant portion of them might be dead.
