Hamas insists on ceasefire before any prisoner exchange
Hamas reiterated its stance on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire in Gaza before considering any prisoner exchange. Accusing Israel of delaying negotiations, this latest development adds complexity to efforts to reach a deal before the beginning of Ramadan.
Hamas stated on Tuesday that there cannot be an "exchange of prisoners" until a ceasefire is in place in Gaza. They also accused Israel of delaying negotiations, which could make it harder to reach a deal before the start of Ramadan.
At a press conference in Beirut, Hamas senior leader Osama Hamdan reiterated the conditions for a ceasefire. These include a complete withdrawal from the sector, allowing displaced individuals to return to their homes, especially in the north, and providing necessary aid, relief, and resources for reconstruction.
Hamdan made it clear that there would be no prisoner exchange until all other conditions were met. He also emphasized that the negotiations would not drag on indefinitely, especially with Israel still carrying out attacks in Gaza.
His comments came after Egypt and Qatar proposed a deal to Hamas last week. The aim of the proposal is to find a solution that would involve a temporary ceasefire alongside the release of Israeli captives in Gaza.
Hamdan quickly responded to the proposal shortly after US President Joe Biden mentioned that a potential ceasefire depended on Hamas. Biden made the comment as he was boarding Air Force One at Hagerstown airport. He also noted that the Israelis have been willing to cooperate and emphasized the importance of a ceasefire.
“We need a ceasefire,” he said, calling the deal on the table a “rational offer” and saying the Israelis had agreed to it.
“We have to see what Hamas does,” he said.
US President Joe Biden speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Hagerstown Regional Airport in Hagerstown, Maryland, on March 5.
US President Joe Biden speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Hagerstown Regional Airport in Hagerstown, Maryland, on March 5.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
Race against the clock
The Biden administration is working quickly to achieve a ceasefire before Ramadan, starting on March 10. They are concerned that any strong military action by Israel during this important Muslim month could escalate tensions in the region.
On Tuesday, Biden mentioned that if a ceasefire is not reached before Ramadan, the situation in Israel, especially in Jerusalem, could become extremely risky.
Negotiators met in Cairo on Sunday for talks on a deal, but Israel did not send a delegation, according to an Israeli official speaking to CNN. The decision came despite mounting international pressure to stop the fighting and allow for much-needed humanitarian assistance.
The Israeli official explained to CNN that Hamas had not met two key Israeli demands. They were asking for a list of hostages to clarify who is alive and who is deceased, as well as confirmation of the ratio of Palestinian prisoners to be released from Israeli jails in exchange for the hostages.
Biden described his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as unchanged, saying it was "like it’s always been." He emphasized that there were "no excuses" for Israel to block aid from entering Gaza.
The United States has been speaking out more about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The United Nations has raised concerns about hundreds of thousands of people facing famine, while Israel, a US ally, is hindering most of the aid shipments.
On Saturday, the US conducted its first humanitarian airdrop into Gaza, delivering 66 bundles of meals without water or medical supplies, according to a US official. Aid groups have criticized the air drops as an ineffective and disrespectful way to provide assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. The UN director of the International Crisis Group stated that these drops are, at best, a temporary solution.
US Vice President Kamala Harris issued one of the strongest criticisms of Israel to date on Sunday, urging for more humanitarian aid to be sent to Gaza. She expressed concern over the dire conditions in the region, stating that people are "starving" due to inhumane circumstances. Harris called on Israel to increase their efforts in providing aid.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
