The leader of the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, has declared that he will not accept a ceasefire deal with Israel unless it includes guarantees to end the ongoing conflict, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
According to these sources, Sinwar's primary demand is the release of a significant number of Palestinians from Israeli jails, potentially thousands, in exchange for the captives held by Hamas. He also insists that the deal must ensure the cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip while allowing Hamas to maintain its presence and will not settle for anything less than a "credible plan to end the war." The movement is additionally seeking international guarantees that the ceasefire will be observed. However, guarantees from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are considered "insufficient" by Hamas, as stated by individuals involved in the negotiations who spoke to the publication.
Negotiations with both Sinwar and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are proving challenging, according to Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli diplomat cited by The Wall Street Journal. Pinkas asserts that Netanyahu's sole objective is his political survival, which makes it difficult to reach a deal on a ceasefire and the release of hostages. "He's at an impasse," Pinkas says of Netanyahu.
Sinwar, on the other hand, believes that he has already achieved victory, whether he lives or dies, as he has "opened the world's eyes to Palestinian suffering and brought the conflict to the forefront of international politics," according to the negotiators. They add that Sinwar's long-term goals include lifting the blockade of the Gaza Strip, relieving Israeli military pressure, and ensuring the continuation of Hamas's existence.
On April 27, Egypt presented a plan to the radical group, which was agreed upon with the Israeli side. The initiative proposes the release of 20 to 40 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for a ceasefire in the area. A source from Al-Qahira al-Ikhbariya reports that an agreement between Hamas and Israel is likely to be reached within the next few days, despite any outstanding concerns.
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Photo: Al Jazeera English/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS