The Palestinian movement Hamas announced on its Telegram channel that it is ready to release all hostages held in the Gaza Strip as part of a comprehensive deal with Israel, which should include a complete cessation of hostilities in the enclave.
“Hamas confirms that it is ready to move towards implementing a comprehensive deal, within the framework of which it will release all hostages in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners. This agreement should also include an end to the war in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from there“, the statement said. The movement also insists that with the conclusion of the deal, all checkpoints on the borders with the enclave must resume their work and work on its reconstruction must begin.
The radical organizations emphasized that they agree with the formation of an “independent government of technocrats“ in Gaza, which will assume its powers “immediately after its establishment“.
Israel considers Hamas's statement about its readiness to release the hostages a “propaganda maneuver“. This is stated in a statement by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Israeli side insists that the condition for ending the fighting in the Gaza Strip, in addition to the release of all hostages, must be the complete disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of the Palestinian enclave.
„Unfortunately, this is just another propaganda maneuver by Hamas, which does not contain anything new. The war can end immediately, but only under the conditions approved by the Israeli military-political cabinet: 1. Release of all hostages; 2. Complete disarmament of Hamas; 3. Demilitarization of the Strip; 4. Ensuring Israeli control over security in the Strip; 5. The formation of an alternative civilian government - one that will not incite terrorism, direct terror or threaten Israel," the statement said.
“Only the fulfillment of these conditions will ensure that Hamas will not be able to regain its strength and repeat the massacre of October 7,“ the statement said.