By In a statement released on Thursday, Hamas expressed its willingness to reach a “complete agreement” with Israel, including a comprehensive exchange of hostages and prisoners, provided that Israel halts its ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip. The Islamist movement emphasized that it would not engage in further ceasefire negotiations while Israel continues its “aggression, siege, starvation, and genocide” against the Palestinian people.
The announcement comes amidst Israel’s persistent offensive on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, despite a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the top U.N. court, calling for an immediate cessation of the attacks. The offensive, which Israel claims is focused on rescuing hostages and eliminating Hamas fighters, has been met with condemnation from various international bodies and human rights organizations.
Mediation efforts by countries such as Egypt and Qatar to establish a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly stalled, with both sides blaming each other for the lack of progress. Hamas’ latest statement underscores the group’s frustration with the ongoing hostilities and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“Hamas and the Palestinian factions will not accept to be part of this policy by continuing (ceasefire) negotiations in light of the aggression, siege, starvation and genocide of our people,” the statement read. The group further emphasized its readiness to reach a comprehensive agreement that includes a prisoner exchange deal if Israel ceases its offensive.
Israel has previously rejected Hamas’ offers, deeming them insufficient, and maintains its determination to eradicate the group, which it considers a threat to its existence. The Israeli government has justified its Rafah offensive as a necessary measure to secure the release of hostages and neutralize Hamas fighters.
According to the Gaza health ministry, the Israeli offensive has claimed the lives of nearly 36,000 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip. The operation was launched in response to an attack by Hamas-led militants on southern Israeli communities on October 7 last year, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of more than 250 hostages, as per Israeli tallies.
The ongoing conflict has sparked international concern and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, exacerbated by the Israeli blockade and the recent offensive, has drawn attention to the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As the international community continues to push for a ceasefire and a return to negotiations, the fate of the hostages and the prospects for a lasting peace in the region remain uncertain.
Credit AP
