Israeli Press Unveils Netanyahu’s Prisoner Swap Proposal; Hamas Declines to Negotiate Before Ceasefire
The Israeli media recently disclosed details of a proposal by the Benjamin Netanyahu government, which included a temporary ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner exchange deal. In response, Hamas has firmly rejected entering into negotiations until a complete ceasefire is achieved.
Channel 13 in Israel reported the proposed deal would entail the release of 30 to 40 Israeli captives currently held by Hamas. The deal includes the exchange for prominent prisoners and a partial withdrawal from certain areas, coupled with a calming period extending from two weeks to a month.
Officials indicated that if the deal progressed to the next phase, Israel would be prepared to adjust some military arrangements within Gaza.
The officials stated that Israel had no issue with Hamas linking the “military change” as a part of the deal, considering it an accomplishment.
The White House has voiced that conversations about a new Gaza truce are quite serious, emphasizing Washington’s push for the liberation of the Israeli detainees.
According to the “Jerusalem Post,” Israel notified Qatar of its readiness for a ceasefire lasting at least a week, which would be in exchange for the release of 40 captives held by Hamas.
The newspaper cited senior Israeli officials and a foreign source stating that Israel has routed a proposal through Qatar to Hamas aiming to reach a new agreement for the release of the “hostages.”
A Prerequisite Condition
On the other side, sources close to the prisoner exchange negotiations between Israel and Hamas informed Al Jazeera that the latter communicated to intermediaries its unwillingness to consider any humanitarian or comprehensive deal without a ceasefire in place.
The sources also confirmed that the current visit by Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, to Cairo is not related to prisoner swap discussions. Instead, it focuses on efforts to end the Gaza blockade and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid, noting that Ghazi Hamad, responsible for Gaza’s border crossings, is part of the delegation.
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority relayed Hamas’s refusal to discuss the Israeli offer before a complete cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
Meetings in Warsaw
This development follows CIA Director William Burns’s trip to Warsaw, Poland, on Monday, to meet with Mossad Director David Barnea, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani—according to US and Egyptian officials.
A US official described these meetings as an attempt to relaunch discussions about the prisoners.
The Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed yesterday that the Mossad chief has twice been sent to Europe to reignite the humanitarian truce for freeing the captives.
Channel 12 in Israel reported that substantial and serious talks are ongoing regarding the details of the hostage deal, yet an agreement is not imminent. Meanwhile, Channel 13 in Israel conveyed from an informed official the likelihood of the new deal’s costs being substantial for Israel.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister relayed to the Mossad head that a prerequisite for Hamas to renew negotiations is an end to the war.
Barnea reportedly responded that the conflict would only end when Hamas disarms and surrenders all those involved in the “October 7th massacre.”
The Qatari efforts previously facilitated a temporary humanitarian truce signed on November 24th, which lasted seven days. During this period, an exchange of women and children prisoners took place.
