Hamas Reacts to Gaza Truce Agreement, Blinken States Deal is ‘Possible’

By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Humeyra Pamuk, and Mohammed Salem

DOHA/GAZA – The Palestinian militant group Hamas announced on Tuesday that it had submitted its response to a proposed ceasefire deal concerning Gaza, which also includes the release of hostages. The United States expressed optimism that an agreement could still be reached.

Specific details regarding Hamas’s response were not immediately disclosed. In their statement, Hamas indicated that they approached the situation "in a positive spirit," calling for a comprehensive ceasefire, an end to the aggression against Palestinians, relief and reconstruction efforts, lifting the blockade of the Gaza Strip, and achieving a prisoner exchange.

Hamas official Ghazi Hamad conveyed to members of the press via text that the organization seeks to secure the release of as many Palestinian prisoners as possible from Israeli custody.

Meanwhile, the office of the Israeli Prime Minister stated that the details of Hamas’s response are currently being assessed by officials engaged in negotiations.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on a swift visit through the Middle East, mentioned that he would discuss the Hamas response with Israeli authorities during his visit to the country on Wednesday. President Joe Biden, acknowledging some progress on a potential deal, described Hamas’s response as "a little over the top," though he did not provide further specifics. He mentioned that negotiations are ongoing.

In Doha, Blinken stated, "There’s still a lot of work to be done, but we continue to believe that an agreement is possible and indeed essential." He made these remarks during a news conference alongside Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who called the Hamas response "positive" but refrained from sharing any particulars.

An unnamed Hamas official emphasized earlier that the group would not consider any release of hostages unless there were assurances that hostilities would cease and that Israeli forces would exit Gaza.

The proposed deal, formulated over a week ago by U.S. and Israeli intelligence leaders in consultation with Egyptian and Qatari representatives, aims to secure the release of remaining hostages held by militants in Gaza in exchange for a significant pause in hostilities.

Insiders have suggested that the proposed truce would last at least 40 days, during which time militants would release civilians among the hostages they hold. Subsequent phases would involve the transfer of soldiers and deceased hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.

Regarding hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to continue its military efforts until Hamas is eradicated. However, there is increasing public sentiment within Israel calling for greater efforts to recover hostages, even if that means negotiating with Hamas. A recent poll indicated that 51% of respondents believe that securing the release of hostages should be the principal objective of the conflict, compared to 36% who believe the primary aim should be the dismantling of Hamas.

On Tuesday, Israel’s main military spokesperson reported that 31 of the hostages held in Gaza have been confirmed deceased. Previously, Israel indicated that 136 hostages remain in captivity following the release of 110 during a temporary truce last month, which also saw 240 Palestinians released from Israeli detention.

According to an assessment shared by Israeli officials with counterparts in the U.S. and Egypt, as many as 50 hostages might be dead, suggesting that approximately 80 hostages held by Hamas are still alive.

The military offensive in Gaza initiated by Israel followed a harrowing attack by Hamas on October 7, during which 1,200 individuals were killed and 253 hostages taken in southern Israel.

Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported at least 27,585 Palestinian fatalities since the onset of Israel’s military operations, with many more feared buried under debris.

Israel has intensified its operations within parts of the Gaza Strip, which is currently sheltering hundreds of thousands displaced by earlier conflicts. They reported that their forces have eliminated numerous Palestinian militants in the past 24 hours.

Palestinians are hopeful that Blinken’s diplomatic efforts will solidify a ceasefire before Israeli troops advance into the southern town of Rafah, now sheltering over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants, primarily in public facilities and makeshift tents.

The pressure from Israeli forces continues in Khan Younis, a key city in the region, where heavy shelling and air strikes have resulted in casualties. Reports confirmed that at least 14 individuals lost their lives due to airstrikes since the early morning hours.

Nearby Rafah also experienced significant bombardment, with fatalities resulting from strikes on residential areas. Israeli leadership has declared Rafah a stronghold for Hamas combatants, leading to concerns from international humanitarian organizations about the potential risks to a million civilians trapped near the border fence.

Amidst this turmoil, Mahmoud Amer and his family have sought refuge in a cemetery in Rafah, believing it to be a safer place than residential areas prone to destruction. Amer lamented, "It’s better than living in residential areas where the houses could collapse on our heads. There is no water, no proper aid coming in. The situation is dire. The dead are at peace, while we, the living, are suffering."