United States proposes prisoner release deal in Israeli-Hamas negotiations, aims for Gaza truce

US proposes prisoner-hostage exchange ratio to mediate Israel-Hamas talks, seeking permanent ceasefire with Hamas's dismantlement; Hamas seeks captives release.

The United States, Israel and Hamas are currently in negotiations regarding the release of prisoners and hostages as part of a potential new Gaza truce. The talks, hosted by Qatar, have seen the involvement of high-level officials from various parties, including the Mossad chief David Barnea, CIA director William Burns, and Qatari and Egyptian officials.

U.S. Bridging Proposal

An Israeli official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the United States has presented a "bridging proposal" for the exchange of jailed Palestinians for hostages freed by Hamas. While specific details of the proposal were not disclosed, Israel has reportedly responded positively to the U.S. initiative. However, Hamas' response to the proposal is still pending, adding a layer of uncertainty to the negotiations.

Hamas' Position

Hamas seeks to leverage any potential deal into a permanent cessation of hostilities with Israel. The group's ultimate goal is not a formal peace agreement, as it remains committed to the destruction of Israel. Consequently, the negotiation process has revealed significant gaps, particularly concerning the ratio of prisoners to be released in exchange for the hostages.

Hamas' Proposal and Israeli Response

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri referred to a proposal made by the group, suggesting the release of between 700 and 1,000 jailed Palestinians in exchange for specific categories of captives. However, Israel has dismissed this proposal as "unrealistic," highlighting the complexities of the negotiations. Furthermore, Israel has expressed reluctance to halt its offensive, withdraw forces, and allow displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip, citing ongoing aggression as a concern.

U.S. Stance and Israeli Openness

U.S. President Joe Biden's alignment with Israel's position on Hamas underscores the challenges in reaching a resolution. Both the U.S. and Israel have emphasized the need to eliminate Hamas. Despite this, Israel has signaled a willingness to suspend its offensive for six weeks and facilitate additional humanitarian aid into Gaza in exchange for the release of 40 hostages. However, this would still leave a substantial number of hostages in Hamas' custody.

Past Truce and Future Expectations

Referring to a previous truce in late November, where Israel released three jailed Palestinians for every hostage freed by Hamas, Israeli officials anticipate the likelihood of agreeing to the release of a larger number of more senior Palestinian militants this time. The complexity of the negotiations is further illustrated by the differing expectations and positions of the involved parties.

Negotiation Status and Future Prospects

Mossad chief David Barnea and other senior members of Israel's delegation have returned, indicating a pause in the direct negotiations. However, both Israeli and Hamas teams remain in Doha, ready to resume discussions should there be a positive shift in the negotiation dynamics. The coming days will be crucial in determining the trajectory of the negotiations and the potential outcomes.

Hostage Situation and Psychological Warfare

Hamas' armed wing reported the death of an Israeli hostage due to lack of essential supplies. While Israeli officials have refrained from directly addressing such claims, they have accused Hamas of engaging in psychological warfare. Moreover, Israel has confirmed the deaths of 35 hostages in Hamas' captivity, reflecting the grim humanitarian aspect of the conflict.

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