"Empty words": Hamas Claims It’s Ready for Deal, but Israel Calls Bluff
Latest developments in Israel-Hamas negotiations as Hamas signals readiness for hostage deal, while Israeli leadership dismisses it as "empty words" amid growing domestic pressure.
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Hamas on Wednesday again declared its readiness for a comprehensive agreement to release Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The announcement was swiftly rejected in Jerusalem, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office and Defense Minister Israel Katz dismissed the remarks as nothing more than a “spin.”
The Prime Minister’s Office reiterated that Israel’s war objectives remain unchanged: the unconditional release of all hostages, the dismantling of Hamas’s military capabilities, the establishment of a civilian administration in Gaza, and continued Israeli security control.
“Hamas continues to deceive and issue empty words,” Katz said. “It faces two choices: accept Israel’s conditions for ending the war or see Gaza City suffer the same fate as Rafah and Beit Hanun. The IDF is fully prepared.”
US diplomatic push
Despite the sharp Israeli response, sources declared that Washington is quietly working to revive negotiations. According to the officials, Hamas’s statement may reflect an early positioning move in response to Netanyahu’s insistence on a “comprehensive deal.”
The renewed talk of a possible exchange comes as US President Donald Trump publicly urged Hamas to release the roughly 20 remaining hostages still believed to be alive in Gaza.
Palestinian-American analyst Bishara Bahbah, who has been involved in the mediation efforts, revealed to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Arabiya channel that he had presented Hamas with a proposal for the release of all captives. “Hamas questioned its credibility,” Bahbah said, adding that in his view Netanyahu is unlikely to sign off on any deal without significant pressure from Washington.
Political pressure at home
Opposition leader Yair Lapid, while rejecting Hamas’s terms, criticized the government for inaction. “The government doesn’t have to accept Hamas’s conditions,” he said.
But it does have to return to negotiations immediately. It is impossible not to even try to bring our hostages home.”
The terror group’s declaration came the same evening that hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Jerusalem demanding progress in the talks. Demonstrators lit fires and blocked roads near the prime minister’s residence, intensifying pressure on the government as families of the captives say time is running out.