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Hamas is open to an agreement to end the war in Gaza that would include the one-time release of all remaining hostages and a five-year cessation of hostilities, an official from the terror group said on Saturday.
"Hamas is ready for an exchange of prisoners in a single batch and a truce for five years," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity, as a delegation from the group was set to meet mediators in Cairo later in the day.
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Hamas representative of Palestinians abroad Khaled Mashaal
(Photo: Osama Faisal / AP)
The official said Hamas would welcome any initiative that would bring an end to the war and opposed a partial deal, which he claimed was aimed solely at appeasing the Israeli public.
A delegation including Mohammed Darwish, head of the Shura Council, along with Khaled Mashal, Khalil al-Hayya, Zaher Jabarin and Nizar Awadallah—five of the group's most senior members—arrived in Egypt early Saturday and began meeting with Egyptian officials to discuss a ceasefire and a comprehensive agreement that would include a full withdrawal of IDF troops.
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"The idea of a truce or its duration is not rejected by us, and we are ready to discuss it within the framework of negotiations. We are open to any serious proposals to end the war," said Taher Al-Nono, media adviser for Hamas leadership, in the first clear signal that the group was open to a longer-term truce.
However, Nono ruled out a key Israeli demand that Hamas disarm. Israel insists on the demilitarization of Gaza. "The weapon of resistance is not negotiable and will remain in our hands as long as the occupation exists," Nono said.
Hamas has previously indicated it might agree to a long-term truce in exchange for an end to Israeli occupation, though such offers were part of broader proposals.
Meanwhile, Mossad chief David Barnea was reportedly heading to Qatar for a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Thani, marking their first meeting since Barnea was removed from leading the hostage negotiation team.