Times of Israel reported that Hamas has issued a statement indicating their readiness to negotiate an end to hostilities with Israel, including the release of prisoners in exchange for a clear declaration of war termination and withdrawal from Gaza.
Trump’s Ultimatum to Hamas
Hamas’s statement comes in response to an ultimatum issued by US President Donald Trump on September 7. “Everyone wants the hostages to come home. Everyone wants this war to end. Israel has accepted my terms. It’s time for Hamas to accept them. I have warned Hamas of the consequences of non-acceptance. This is my final warning, no more!” wrote Trump in a tweet.
Release of Hostages
According to Al Jazeera, Hamas is holding around 50 hostages, with 20 still alive. In the proposed ceasefire deal, all these hostages would be released, while Israel would free thousands of Palestinian prisoners. The growing tensions in the Gaza Strip have raised concerns over the fate of these prisoners.
Hamas’s Demands and Conditions
In their statement, Hamas outlined conditions for agreeing to a ceasefire, including a declaration of war termination, withdrawal from Gaza, and the establishment of a committee of independent Palestinians to govern the Gaza Strip. The group also emphasized that they will take any step to prevent aggression against their nation.
