“Absolutely Reject”: Leaders of Hamas Dismiss Israel’s Exile Plan and Instead Concentrate on a One-Month Truce

The Israeli proposal for a two-month ceasefire was rejected by Hamas officials, and neither side was able to come to an agreement on the terms that would put a stop to the conflict once and for all. They have agreed in principle that Israeli captives might be exchanged for Palestinian inmates during a month-long truce.

After intensive mediation efforts spearheaded by Qatar, Washington, and Egypt and shuttle diplomacy by the Biden administration, Netanyahu government, and other parties, Hamas first suggested a truce that would last several months. However, the ceasefire accord duration has now been reduced to one month.

This accord has fallen through as well since neither side has been able to come to a lasting agreement on how to stop the conflict. News agency Reuters reported on the aforementioned occurrences on Wednesday.

Before captives are freed during the first phase, Hamas is reportedly looking for “a package deal” that includes a permanent truce, according to the news agency citing persons with knowledge of the proceedings.

Senior Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri was cited by news agency Reuters as stating, “We are open to all initiatives and proposals, but any agreement must be based on ending the aggression and the occupation’s complete pullout from Gaza Strip.”

Israel’s plan, which said that the conflict would cease provided Hamas expelled six top officials from Gaza, was categorically rejected by Hamas. Senior Hamas figures including Mohamed al-Deif and Yahya Sinwar, who planned the October 7 assaults on Israel, were sought to leave the coastal enclave by Israel.

Israel launched its retaliatory attack on Gaza with the intention of killing or apprehending the aforementioned commanders, who are said to be hidden somewhere deep within Hamas’ vast network of tunnels under Gaza.

Based on recordings leaked to Israel’s N12 news network, Israeli authorities said that such a “surrender and exile” scenario was being considered in early January.

The families of nearly 130 hostages are applying intense pressure to the Israeli government, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to ensure their release from their captivity in Gaza, coinciding with the talks of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. Israel suffered a setback on Monday as it recorded the highest daily death toll of its Gaza offensive with 24 fatalities, including 21 in a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack in central Gaza and three elsewhere. Netanyahu had reiterated this week that only “total victory” over Hamas would bring an end to the war.