Hamas rejects Egyptian short-term ceasefire & hostage release deal, US Sec Blinken confirms

Hamas leaders have once again rejected a limited ceasefire-hostage release deal, the U.S. State Department announced on Monday. 

In a phone call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the situation in the Middle East and in Sudan. 

U.S. State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said that during the call, “The Secretary noted that Hamas has once again refused to release even a limited number of hostages to secure a ceasefire and relief for the people of Gaza.”

“He discussed the importance of establishing a path for the post-conflict period that provides governance, security, and reconstruction,” Miller added.

Egypt had proposed a limited ceasefire deal, which did not call for the removal of all IDF troops from Gaza, and would see the release of only about four hostages.

The deal was meant to restart the stalled hostage release and ceasefire negotiations. 

Another proposal, discussed by officials from the United States, Israel and Qatar in Doha last week called for a limited ceasefire and hostage release. That proposal would have secured a 30-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of a larger group of 11 to 14 hostages, primarily women and children. 

Sources close to Hamas told Middle East Eye that the group is not willing to consider any proposal that does not include the “total withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.”

After some of the details regarding the Egyptian deal were released last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that Hamas had not accepted the proposal. In comments to a Likud party meeting, Netanyahu reportedly said, “Israel has not received a proposal for the release of four hostages in return for a 48-hour ceasefire in Gaza.” 

His office clarified that had such a proposal had been accepted by Hamas, Netanyahu would have immediately accepted it. 

Blinken’s statement regarding Hamas’ refusal to accept the deal is the first concrete evidence that the terror group is the party unwilling to move forward with the latest proposal. 

It indicates that Hamas has not given up its demand that any ceasefire and hostage release deal include the full withdrawal of IDF troops from the Gaza Strip. 

The U.S. government has been engaged in negotiations for months, despite an apparent lack of interest in a deal by Hamas. The Indian news site Republic World cited a “diplomat familiar with the situation” who said the U.S. government has been keen on achieving some deal before the elections, hoping to give a boost to Vice President Kamala Harris. 

A hostage release deal involving a ceasefire and the possible withdrawal of IDF troops from Gaza – or even a permanent ceasefire – has been a controversial issue within Israel, as many hostage families support the acceptance of any deal that would bring their loved ones home, while a few families – and many in the defense and security sector – believe Israel cannot agree to Hamas’ terms without risking another massacre. 

The recent arrest of several suspects accused of leaking secret documents to foreign press has heightened tensions, as some are alleged to have leaked the information to influence Israeli public opinion toward a firmer stance in the negotiations.