Jewish World

Hamas Spurns Israel’s Offer of Safe Passage Out of Gaza



Hamas has rejected a fresh Israeli ceasefire proposal that would have granted safe passage to foreign territory in exchange for disarmament and releasing the remaining hostages.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the offer presented by Israeli intelligence chief David Barnea to Egyptian officials this past week represents Israel’s latest attempt to break the diplomatic stalemate. Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya’s response was typical, claiming that Israel was “misreading” the Iranian backed terrorist organization and warned it could continue fighting for “months, if not years.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser, Ophir Falk, confirmed the proposal, adding that while safe passage remained on the table, Israel would pursue anyone who harmed the hostages.

On Sunday, CIA Director William Burns will join Israeli and Egyptian intelligence chiefs in Doha, where mediators are expected to present a new proposal. The Egyptian proposal reportedly envisions a two-week pause for the release of five hostages in exchange for the potential release of an unspecified number of dangerous terrorists sitting in Israeli jails.

However, regional complications threaten to derail these efforts. Israel faces multiple fronts against Iran’s terror proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Iran’s recent direct missile strikes on Israeli territory have added another layer of uncertainty, with Arab mediators expressing concern that Hamas may hesitate to commit while Israel fights its broader war on terror.

Previous ceasefire discussions have yielded limited success, with the only significant hostage release occurring during a weeklong pause in late 2023. Senior U.S. officials have privately acknowledged the diminishing likelihood of securing a comprehensive deal before President Biden’s term ends, though diplomatic efforts continue through multiple channels.



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