Hamas is willing to compromise on release of high-profile Palestinian detainees, sources say

Hamas is insistent that any agreement with Israel must include a permanent ceasefire and full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, sources told The National yesterday.

However, the militant group is willing be flexible on the details of a proposed detainee and hostage exchange.

Hamas’s leaders in Gaza also want international guarantees, including from the US, Russia and China, that Israel would not resume its military operations in the enclave after the militants free about 132 hostages they have held since October last year.

The group has demanded a timeline for the reconstruction of Gaza, which has been devastated by Israeli bombardment, and similar guarantees for its completion, the sources said. While Hamas is ready to compromise if Israel refuses to free high-profile Palestinians serving long jail terms, the group stands by its demand that 5,000 detainees be released in exchange for the hostages.

The proposed deal Hamas is considering is the result of talks in Paris last week involving mediators from the US, Qatar and Egypt. The sources said Hamas was consulting with other militant groups in Gaza with the aim of reaching a unified response after nearly four months of war.

“The response will come from the tunnels of Gaza, not the political leaders in exile,” said one of the sources.

“If anything, this frames the ascent of Hamas’s military wing and the diminishing power of the political leaders in exile.”

Israel has yet to give a formal response to the proposals, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said his government has no intention of freeing thousands of Palestinians and will not end the war or withdraw from Gaza until Hamas has been eliminated.

On Sunday, Mr Netanyahu said Israel is not ready to accept a deal at any price to free the hostages, as divisions grow within in his coalition over the White House’s push to get more aid into Gaza.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has said the US will keep “pressing Israel on issues related to humanitarian assistance” as the crisis in Gaza grows increasingly acute.

His words were echoed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who stressed the need for urgent humanitarian efforts in the enclave before leaving for a fifth visit to the region on Sunday.

Far-right elements of Israel’s government staunchly oppose any concessions to the Palestinians, putting them at odds with a centrist faction, which includes former army generals.

“The efforts to free the hostages are continuing at all times,” Mr Netanyahu said before a cabinet meeting.

“As I also emphasised in the security cabinet, we will not agree to every deal, and not at any price.”

Hamas wants guarantees from global powers that Israel would not resume operations in Gaza after the hostages are freed