Hamas agrees to releasing 10 Israeli captives to help advance ceasefire talks
Hamas agrees to releasing 10 Israeli captives to help advance ceasefire talks
M.U.H
10/07/202524
Hamas has announced that it has agreed to the release 10 Israeli captives, expressing hope that the step would facilitate progress towards a comprehensive ceasefire deal enabling termination of the Israeli regime’s October 2023-present genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Palestinian resistance movement said its leadership was engaged in “intensive and responsible efforts” to ensure the success of indirect ceasefire talks.
The group stressed that it remained committed to reaching an agreement that would end the Israeli attacks, secure the free flow of humanitarian aid, and ease the dire humanitarian conditions brought about by the combination of the genocide and a near-total Israeli-imposed siege in the coastal sliver.
“The movement has shown the necessary flexibility and agreed to release 10 captives,” it said, adding that it was determined to keep working with mediators “diligently and with a positive spirit” to overcome obstacles.
However, the movement underscored that key points were still under negotiation.
Chief among them were guarantees for a permanent ceasefire, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory, and unrestricted delivery of relief supplies.
“Despite the difficulty of negotiations on these issues so far due to the intransigence of the occupation, we continue to work tirelessly to end the suffering of our people and ensure their aspirations for freedom, security, and a dignified life,” the statement concluded.
The announcement came after the United States said it was optimistic over the prospect of an agreement.
Steven Witkoff, the US’s special envoy for the West Asia region, said on Tuesday he hoped the two sides could reach a deal by week’s end that would establish a 60-day truce.
Witkoff indicated that the proposed arrangement would include Hamas’ releasing up to 10 living Israeli captives, along with the remains of nine others.
However, he did not outline concrete measures that would directly address the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, who have endured nearly 21 months of devastating genocide that has claimed the lives of nearly 57,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children.
The American envoy’s remarks followed a Monday meeting between President Donald Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. Trump was expected to meet Netanyahu again on Tuesday, with Gaza reportedly topping their agenda
Efforts to broker a truce have faced repeated setbacks. A ceasefire that took effect in January collapsed by mid-March, after Israeli forces not only resumed, but intensified their operations in Gaza.
The territory, under an Israeli blockade since 2007, has also faced even harsher restrictions ever since the ceasefire broke down.
Israel’s inclination to sustain war
Reports from Israeli and Palestinian officials alike have suggested that Netanyahu has been resisting moves towards a durable ceasefire, viewing the continuation of military operations as politically advantageous.
Former chief of the regime’s Shin Bet spy agency Ronen Bar and other Israeli officials have acknowledged that prolonging the warfare could serve Netanyahu’s efforts to maintain his hold on power.
The Israeli premier has identified the genocide as the sole means of enabling the return of the Israeli captives, who remained in Gaza.
Hamas has, however, so far reported that numerous captives had been killed in the regime’s own airstrikes, contradicting Netanyahu’s assertions.
Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz revealed in May that at least 20 captives had been killed by Israeli military action since the war began.
Background of American betrayal
Also in May, Hamas freed Israeli-American trooper Edan Alexander, raising hopes of easing the crisis.
The movement later said Witkoff had promised US pressure on Tel Aviv to lift the blockade and allow humanitarian access within two days of Alexander’s release. That commitment, however, has yet to materialize.
Besides refusing to bring pressure to bear on the regime to end the genocide, Washington has been providing the war with billions of dollars in military support, besides shielding Tel Aviv against punitive United Nations resolutions.
