Hamas is open to a years-long truce with Israel in Gaza but is not willing to lay down its arms, an official said yesterday, as its leaders met mediators in Cairo for ceasefire talks.
Sources close to the talks told Reuters Hamas hoped to build support among mediators for its offer, adding the group might agree to a five to seven-year truce in return for ending the war, allowing for the rebuilding of Gaza, the freeing of Palestinians jailed by Israel and the release of all hostages.
“The idea of a truce or its duration is not rejected by us, and we are ready to discuss it within the framework of negotiations. We are open to any serious proposals to end the war,” said Taher Al Nono, the media adviser for the Hamas leadership, in the first clear signal that the group was open to a longer-term truce.
However, Nono ruled out a core Israeli demand that Hamas lay down its arms. Israel wants to see Gaza demilitarised.
“The weapon of resistance is not negotiable and will remain in our hands as long as the occupation exists,” Nono said.
Hamas’ founding charter calls for Israel’s destruction, but it has signalled in the past that it might agree to a long-term truce in return for ending Israeli occupation.
Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel downplayed chances this week for the new proposal to lead to a breakthrough unless Israel’s core demands were met.
“The war could end tomorrow if Hamas released the remaining 59 hostages and laid down its weapons,” Haskel said in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
Israel resumed its offensive in Gaza on March 18 after a January ceasefire collapsed, saying it would keep up pressure on Hamas until it frees the remaining hostages still held in the enclave. Up to 24 of them are believed to still be alive.
The Israeli military said a missile that was launched from Yemen was intercepted in the early hours yesterday.
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