CAIRO: Hamas has expressed openness to a long-term truce with Israel in Gaza but has firmly rejected the demand to disarm, a senior official revealed on Saturday. This comes as Hamas leaders met with mediators in Cairo for ceasefire talks amid ongoing hostilities.
Taher Al-Nono, media adviser to Hamas' leadership, confirmed that the group is willing to discuss a truce lasting between five to seven years, provided it results in an end to the war, the reconstruction of Gaza, the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, and the freeing of all hostages. However, Al-Nono made it clear that Hamas is unwilling to relinquish its weapons, which it views as crucial for resisting Israeli occupation.
“The weapon of resistance is not negotiable and will remain in our hands as long as the occupation exists,” Al-Nono stated, emphasizing Hamas' stance on maintaining its armament as part of its ideological and strategic position.
The potential truce offer marks a shift in Hamas' approach, indicating a willingness to negotiate for peace in exchange for concessions that would ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Nevertheless, Israel has maintained that any long-term peace agreement would require Hamas to release hostages and disarm, conditions that Hamas has so far rejected.
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel downplayed the prospects of a breakthrough, reiterating Israel’s core demand for Hamas to lay down its arms and free the remaining hostages. “The war could end tomorrow if Hamas released the remaining 59 hostages and laid down its weapons,” Haskel said earlier this week.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated after Hamas’ deadly attack on October 7, 2023, which led to the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 251 hostages. Since then, more than 51,400 Palestinians have died due to Israeli airstrikes, and Gaza has been severely devastated.
As ceasefire talks continue in Cairo, the fate of the hostages and the possibility of a prolonged truce remain uncertain, with both sides holding firm on their demands.
