negotiations between Israel and Hamas have reached an impasse

Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas on the release of Israeli hostages have reached an impasse due to Hamas’s demand for a permanent ceasefire. The grouping is recognized as territorial in the USA and the EU.

As NBC News reports with reference to a source, American, Qatari and Egyptian officials continue to insist on concluding an agreement that will allow the release of about 130 Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip.

According to Israeli officials, Hamas demands a final cessation of hostilities, the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including those who attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.

A representative of Hamas said that the group will not take any action until it receives a promise that hostilities will cease and all Israeli troops will leave the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rejected Hamas’ demands on Sunday.

“If we agree to this, we will not be able to guarantee the safety of our citizens. We will not be able to safely return the evacuees to their homes, and the next October 7 will be only a matter of time,” Netanyahu said.

A representative of Hamas said that the group “receives many proposals and ideas from various mediators, mainly from the Egyptians and Qataris” regarding the terms and implementation of the potential release of Israeli hostages in exchange for a significant pause in hostilities and the release of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.

According to officials, the mediators offer an agreement that provides for the release of the hostages in three stages within 30 days. Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for each group of Israeli hostages.

• More than 1,200 Israelis, the vast majority of them civilians, were killed during the attack by Hamas militants on Israel. 240 people were taken hostage. The Israel Defense Forces launched an operation in the Gaza Strip in response to the jihadist attack. Local authorities report that more than 25 thousand people died, among the victims a high percentage of women and children.
• About half of all captured hostages were released during a brief truce in November. Israel says 132 people remain in Gaza, and 27 have died in the hands of Hamas.