Blinken: Hamas-israel agreement still possible

Sides far apart on deal for hostages, cease-fire

TEL AVIV, Israel — Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that a cease-fire and hostage-release agreement between Israel and Hamas was still possible, despite the two sides being far apart on the central terms for a deal.

Blinken was in the region trying to broker an arrangement that could bring some respite in Israel’s war against Hamas, which is entering its fifth month after Hamas terrorists attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 and taking another 250 hostage.

The Palestinian death toll has reached 27,707, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures.

Those diplomatic efforts were rattled earlier in the day when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a detailed, three-phase plan by Hamas that would unfold over 4½ months.

Netanyahu, who called Hamas’ plan “delusional,” dismissed any proposal that leaves the terrorist group in full or partial control of Gaza.

Blinken downplayed the posturing, saying it was part of the arduous negotiating process. “It’s not flipping a light switch. It’s not yes or no,” he said.

“While there are some clear non-starters in Hamas’ response, we do think it creates space for agreement to be reached, and we will work at that relentlessly until we get there,” he said.

Hamas spells out demands

Hamas’ statements came in response to a proposal drawn up by the United States, Israel, Qatar and Egypt. The terrorists’ reply was published in Lebanon’s Al-akhbar newspaper, which is close to the powerful Hezbollah terrorist group.

A Hamas official and two Egyptian officials confirmed its authenticity.

All spoke on condition of anonymity.

In the first 45-day phase, Hamas would release all remaining women and children, as well as older and sick men, in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Israel would also withdraw from populated areas, cease aerial operations, allow far more aid to enter and permit Palestinians to return to their homes, including in northern Gaza.

The second phase would include the release of all remaining hostages, mostly soldiers, in exchange for all Palestinian detainees over the age of 50, including senior terrorists.

Israel would release an additional 1,500 prisoners, 500 of whom would be specified by Hamas, and complete its withdrawal from Gaza.

In the third phase, the sides would exchange the remains of hostages and prisoners.

Victory in ‘a matter of months’

At the news conference earlier, Netanyahu rejected Hamas’ demands, saying they would lead to a disaster for Israel.

“Surrendering to Hamas’ delusional demands that we heard now not only won’t lead to freeing the captives, it will just invite another massacre,” Netanyahu said in a nationally televised evening news conference.

Netanyahu said the Israeli military had achieved many of the goals it set out and that victory was “a matter of months” away.

He said forces had dismantled 18 of Hamas’ 24 battalions, destroyed tunnels and killed terrorists, and that military pressure on Hamas was the best way to bring about the release of the hostages.

Meanwhile, Hamas’ police force has returned to the streets in places where Israeli troops have pulled back.

Netanyahu ruled out any arrangement that leaves Hamas in control of any part of Gaza. He also said that Israel is the “only power” capable of guaranteeing security in the long term.