Hamas Shocks With Proposal to Free All Israeli Hostages

Hamas has released an official statement declaring its readiness for a "comprehensive deal" to secure the release of all Israeli hostages, but the terms it laid out are unlikely to be accepted by Israel. The announcement comes amidst preparations by the IDF for a ground incursion into Gaza City, an operation that has seen tens of thousands of reservists called to duty.

In the statement, Hamas said it is still waiting for Israel's response to an offer brokered by mediators on August 18, which proposed the release of 10 of the remaining 20 living hostages. At the same time, the group said it is open to a "comprehensive deal" that would include the release of all Israeli captives in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners. However, it tied the deal to several conditions: an end to the war, a full IDF withdrawal from Gaza, the opening of all crossings, and the beginning of reconstruction efforts.

A major point of contention that Hamas's statement fails to address is Israel's demand that the terror group must disarm. Israel has stated that a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip is not an option and has not responded to the partial deal proposal. Hamas also said it agreed to "the establishment of an independent national government of technocrats that will take full responsibility for managing the affairs of the Strip in all areas."

Meanwhile, the IDF Chief of Staff is expected to warn the political leadership in the coming days that beginning in November, there will be no alternative but to impose military rule over the entire Gaza Strip. According to military officials, the anticipated defeat of Hamas in Gaza City and the weakening of its strongholds will necessitate the IDF taking responsibility for civilian life in the area. The Hamas announcement is seen as an attempt to apply pressure on Israel ahead of the planned incursion into Gaza City. The group is signalling that it is ready for a deal on its own terms, even as Israel's military prepares for a full-scale operation to dismantle the organization entirely.