Hamas official al-Hayya: No prisoner exchange without ending the war

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen + Al-Aqsa TV
20 Nov 2024 22:44
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Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya accuses "Israel" of enabling aid theft in Gaza, discusses Egypt's mediation efforts, and reaffirms that a prisoner exchange is contingent on ending the war.

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Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya in an interview for AP in Istanbul, Turkiye, on April 24, 2024. (AP)

Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya accused the Israeli occupation of enabling the theft of humanitarian aid in Gaza, stating that such acts are carried out "with its full knowledge and blessing."

In an interview for Al-Aqsa TV, al-Hayya elaborated on Hamas' response to Egypt’s proposal to form an administrative committee for Gaza. He explained, "The Hamas movement has responsibly engaged with Egypt’s proposal, making substantial strides toward achieving consensus."

He further highlighted the continued Egyptian sponsorship to facilitate the formation of a committee to oversee all affairs in Gaza.

Discussing the Israeli occupation's actions, al-Hayya stated, “The occupation has decimated the southern area along the Egyptian border and is intensifying efforts to expand the Netzarim axis to protect its forces from Resistance operations." He also commented on recently published images of Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Netzarim axis, describing them as a "show-off".

On efforts toward ceasefire negotiations

Addressing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, al-Hayya noted, "There are ongoing efforts to advance the file," stressing Hamas’ flexibility in this regard. He announced the Palestinian Resistance’s "readiness to implement the July 2, 2024, agreement (proposed by US President Joe Biden) and the UN Security Council resolution, but Netanyahu is obstructing it for political reasons."

However, al-Hayya pointed out that the latest US proposal "did not mention halting the war or the return of the displaced but focused solely on the return of some Israeli captives." He reaffirmed the Resistance’s firm stance, stating, "We tell Netanyahu, without stopping the war, there will be no prisoner exchange."

Amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza, al-Hayya expressed frustration, asserting, "It is inconceivable that the Arab and Islamic nations, with all their resources, cannot compel the enemy to stop the war."

Without concessions, no Gaza captive deal, officials warn Netanyahu

Senior Israeli security officials emphasized last Sunday that "Israel" must adopt a more flexible approach regarding a potential withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war to secure a deal for the release of captives held in the Palestinian Strip, the Israeli Ynetnews website reported.

It pointed out that the renewed push follows stalled negotiations, prompting Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convene his cabinet for consultations.

According to Ynetnews, the high-level meeting, involving Security Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, underscores deep divisions within the government.

Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, staunch opponents of any agreement to end the war, have warned they could dissolve the coalition if such a deal is reached, the news website indicated.

It mentioned that security officials estimate that of the 101 captives held in Gaza for over 400 days, only 51 remain alive and caution Netanyahu that without significant Israeli concessions, no agreement is likely, leaving the remaining captives at risk.

Efforts to revive negotiations are also shaped by regional developments and the election of Donald Trump for a second term as US President, Ynetnews added.

Trump has conveyed messages indicating that he wants to finalize a prisoner exchange deal before entering the White House in January. Meanwhile, Netanyahu prefers reaching an agreement now, before the US-President elect takes office, fearing that Trump might impose an end to the war on him, the news website mentioned.

It revealed that Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, Israeli military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, and Mossad Director David Bar recently held a meeting with Security Minister Katz to assess strategies for resuming talks.

Ynetnews said that discussions have explored all options for giving "Israel" renewed momentum to achieve a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange under the pretext of retrieving the captives.

According to the media outlet, officials agree that Hamas is unlikely to agree to any deal without a complete Israeli troop withdrawal and an end to the war.

It also claimed that while Qatar has publicly distanced itself from the mediation process, it remains engaged discreetly.

Moreover, Egypt is actively participating in negotiations, and "Israel" is considering whether to involve Turkey in the discussions, the news website noted.