Hamas Leader Silent on Israel’s Escape Offer for Hostages

Tel Aviv — Gal Hirsch, the Israeli coordinator for hostages and the missing, has expanded a cease-fire offer aimed at Hamas leader Yahyah Sinwar. His statement indicates a significant shift in negotiations, showcasing Israel’s willingness to consider drastic measures to resolve the ongoing conflict.

Hirsch expressed, “I believe we can provide safe passage for him, his family, or anyone he chooses to accompany him. If he wants to take ten, he can take ten. Thousands! I don’t care.” This bold offer comes with a critical condition: Hamas must surrender control of the Gaza Strip and ensure the release of the remaining 101 hostages.

Hirsch indicated that maintaining the status quo is untenable, asserting, “It would be the end of the war, as [the hostages] will be recovered.” Of the hostages, Israeli intelligence suggests that 64 are still alive, and Israel is adamant that both the living and the deceased must be returned.

As of now, Sinwar has yet to respond to this expanded cease-fire proposal, which follows a narrower offer made by Hirsch a week earlier. The Hamas leader has been largely out of sight, believed to be hiding within the complex tunnel networks beneath Gaza, ever since the group orchestrated a substantial attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and around 250 individuals taken hostage.

Israeli officials report that Sinwar was last detected in a video believed to have come from Hamas security cameras, recorded shortly after the massacre on October 7. The footage is grainy and shows him only from behind, as he enters a tunnel with his wife and children.

Since being appointed the overall head of Hamas on August 6, shortly after the assassination of long-time political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Sinwar’s communications have been limited. This past week, he did release a public statement expressing gratitude to his allies from Yemen’s Houthi movement after a missile strike reached Israeli territory. However, his remarks do not suggest any openness to accepting Israel’s offer of safe passage; instead, he emphasized a determination to continue fighting for victory against Israel, aided by support from allies like the Houthis and Hezbollah from Lebanon.

In his message, he declared, “We have prepared ourselves for a prolonged war of attrition that will break the enemy’s political will.” This highlights the ideological divide and the determination of both sides in the escalating conflict.

Hirsch’s interview revealed potential flexibility regarding one of Israel’s fundamental demands in cease-fire talks with Hamas. Recently, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced criticism for reportedly changing terms during negotiations, insisting on an enduring Israeli military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, which borders Gaza and Egypt. This corridor is seen as a critical route for potential smuggling operations, and for Hamas, the prospect of a lasting Israeli military presence in Gaza has always posed a significant barrier to agreement.

However, Hirsch hinted at a potential compromise on this matter. He stated, “I’m focused on the hostages and the missing. The Philadelphi road is a very important asset for negotiations.” This signals a possible shift towards finding a mutually agreeable solution.

Some top Israeli military officials are considering alternative strategies for monitoring the suspected smuggling routes without an Israeli ground presence. They suggest that electronic surveillance, perhaps in collaboration with international partners, could suffice. When asked whether the country could depend on underground sensors to prevent smuggling instead of deploying troops, Hirsch noted that the specifics of military deployment are still part of ongoing negotiations.

He asserted, “The Philadelphi road, the prisoners in Israeli prisons, humanitarian support – these are all assets we can negotiate with to bring our hostages back home.” This statement encapsulates the complex negotiation landscape, as both sides weigh their terms and conditions amidst ongoing hostilities.