Hamas has expressed its willingness to reach an agreement to end the war in Gaza, which includes a one-time release of all remaining hostages in exchange for a five-year ceasefire, an official in the terrorist organization told AFP on Saturday.
The source noted that "Hamas is ready for a one-time prisoner exchange in exchange for a five-year cessation of hostilities," as a delegation from the organization departed for Cairo for meetings with Egyptian officials.
A Hamas delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, is expected to present the organization's vision for ending the fighting to Egypt on Saturday. Taher al-Nono, another senior Hamas official, made it clear earlier that the organization's weapons are "not open to negotiation" in the talks.
Three Hamas officials, according to N12, confirmed that the group would be willing to hand over its weapons to the next group ruling the enclave. While this stance is not shared by the entirety of the terror group, it reportedly suggests that some of Hamas's senior leadership are open to disarming. However, an official of the terrorist organization said Saturday that Hamas is open to a years-long truce with Israel in Gaza but is not willing to lay down its arms.
"Hamas commanders in the Gaza Strip are feeling heavy pressure from the local population to take such a step," Hamas sources told N12. "This is in the knowledge that no serious aid will be received for the reconstruction of the region and that Arab countries will not send battalions for policing missions in the Gaza Strip, as long as Hamas remains an armed underground."
The three officials added that the final deal could also see Muhammad Sinwar and Gaza Brigade commander Izz ad-Din Haddad expelled from Gaza.
"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, the media adviser for the Hamas leadership, in the first clear signal that the group was open to a longer-term truce.
However, Nono ruled out a core Israeli demand that Hamas lay down its arms. Israel wants to see Gaza demilitarized.
"The weapon of resistance is not negotiable and will remain in our hands as long as the occupation exists," Nono said.
Hamas' founding charter calls for Israel's destruction, but it has signaled in the past that it might agree to a long-term truce in return for ending Israeli occupation.
Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel downplayed chances this week for the new proposal to lead to a breakthrough unless Israel's core demands were met.
The hostage crisis
"The war could end tomorrow if Hamas released the remaining 59 hostages and laid down its weapons," Haskel said in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
59 hostages remain in captivity, and negotiators have worked to reach an agreement which would see them returned and a ceasefire enacted in Gaza, where Hamas authorities have claimed that the war has resulted in a large civilian death toll.
The war was started when Hamas invaded southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and murdered some 1200 people. During the terrorist attacks, the group abducted over 250 people.
Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza on March 18 after a January ceasefire collapsed, saying it would keep up pressure on Hamas until it frees the remaining hostages still held in the enclave. Up to 24 of them are believed to still be alive.