Hamas says it will release hostages if Gaza war ends permanently guaranteed

A senior official from Hamas announced on Monday that the group is prepared to release all Israeli hostages as part of a broad agreement that would include a prisoner exchange and a full halt to the conflict in Gaza.

Taher al-Nunu, a leading Hamas figure, stated that the offer also hinges on Israel withdrawing its forces from the Gaza Strip and allowing humanitarian aid to flow into the territory. The declaration came as negotiations resumed in Cairo, where Egypt and Qatar are mediating talks alongside the United States to broker a new ceasefire.

Ceasefire Complications and Conditions

Nunu criticized Israel for allegedly obstructing efforts to finalize an agreement, arguing that the key issue is not how many hostages Hamas would release, but rather that Israel is failing to follow through on its obligations. He emphasized the need for concrete guarantees that would compel Israel to uphold any commitments made.

Israeli media outlet Ynet reported a fresh proposal under which Hamas would release ten living hostages. In return, the United States would guarantee that Israel would proceed with negotiations for a second phase of a ceasefire. The previous truce, which began on January 19 and included several hostage-for-prisoner exchanges, fell apart after two months.

Despite progress on some fronts, major disagreements remain. Hamas maintains that its fighters will not lay down their arms, rejecting Israel’s core demand for the group’s disarmament.

The conflict began after Hamas’s assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, primarily civilians, and the kidnapping of 251 individuals. According to Israeli authorities, 58 hostages are still in Gaza, including 34 believed to be deceased.

In Gaza, the human toll continues to rise. The Palestinian health ministry reports at least 1,574 people killed since March 18, bringing the overall death count in the territory to 50,944 since the onset of the war.