A first round of negotiations between Israel and Hamas in November led to the release of about 100 captives in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails. But since then talks have largely stalled.
The latest development in the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel sees Hamas expressing readiness to reach a comprehensive agreement, which includes a potential hostage exchange deal. In a statement reported by news agency Reuters, Hamas stated its willingness to engage in negotiations for a ‘complete agreement’ on the condition that Israel ceases its military actions and aggression against the people in Gaza.
Despite an order from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to halt the attacks, Israel has continued its offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Israel has justified its actions by emphasizing the rescue of hostages and the elimination of Hamas fighters as the primary objectives of the operation.
“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 Hamas statement read.
“Today, we informed the mediators of our clear position that if the occupation stops its war and aggression against our people in Gaza, our readiness (is) to reach a complete agreement that includes a comprehensive exchange deal,” it added.
Israel rejects Hamas offers
Israel has rejected past Hamas offers as insufficient and said it is determined to wipe out a group bent on its destruction. It says its Rafah offensive is focused on rescuing hostages and rooting out Hamas fighters.
Israel had said on Tuesday that its war on Hamas in Gaza would continue all year, after Washington said the Rafah assault did not amount to a major ground operation that would trigger a change in US policy.
Talks led by key mediators Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to arrange a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian group that governs Gaza have repeatedly stalled, with both sides blaming the other for the lack of progress.
The Hamas statement on Thursday came as Israel pressed on with an offensive on Rafah in southern Gaza, despite an order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the top United Nations court, to halt its assault.
Hamas said it showed flexibility during negotiations and that it had entered every previous round of talks with a “positive” spirit, including the last round when it agreed to a mediator-proposed deal on May 6 – shortly after Israeli forces began the widely criticised ground offensive in Rafah.
