Gaza city: Hamas declared on Friday that Israel's only viable option is to agree to a prisoner swap arrangement that aligns with the terms of the Palestinian resistance, following the unsuccessful military attempts to rescue captives in the Gaza Strip. 'The only path left is to move forward with a swap deal on the resistance's terms and will - one that guarantees full national and humanitarian rights, foremost among them the lifting of the siege and ending the policy of mass starvation,' the Palestinian resistance group stated.
According to Anadolu Agency, indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel are taking place in Qatar, with Egypt and Qatar acting as mediators and the United States providing support for the discussions. The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his delegation to remain in Doha until an agreement is reached regarding a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire in Gaza.
Hamas has described Israel's military shortcomings in Gaza as indicative of its failure on multiple fronts, labeling it a 'historic battle' that exposes the vulnerability of the Zionist entity and highlights alleged crimes such as killing, starvation, and genocide. The resistance group claims to have disrupted Israel's strategies, seized the initiative, and employed tactics that Israel finds difficult to comprehend or counteract, despite efforts to weaken the population through siege and starvation.
The group condemned the food blockade on Gaza as a 'deliberate crime against humanity,' asserting that food is being weaponized to oppress a resilient populace. Hamas called for immediate action from officials and the public to end this 'heinous crime' and provide relief to the besieged civilians facing starvation.
Despite international appeals for a ceasefire, the Israeli military has continued its offensive on Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of nearly 59,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children. The ongoing assault has devastated the region, causing food shortages and spreading disease.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is confronted with a genocide case at the International Court of Justice related to its actions in the enclave.