Resistance position clear; no talks until Israeli war stops: Official

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
25 Dec 2023 02:26

Senior Hamas official confirms to Al Mayadeen that the Resistance in Gaza has a unified position regarding the conditions to start talks regarding a prisoner exchange deal. -- Palestinian officials touch on proposals presented by "Israel", including a prisoner exchange and a temporary ceasefire, and affirm that the Resistance will not discuss any proposals before a comprehensive ceasefire.

Families and friends of Israeli captives held by the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza during a protest outside the Israeli Security Ministry in "Tel Aviv" demanding a prisoner exchange deal, on December 15, 2023 (AFP)

The head of Hamas' National Relations Abroad reiterated that the Resistance's position regarding any talks on a prisoner exchange with the Israeli occupation will not take place until the war on Gaza stops.

Talking to Al Mayadeen, Ali Baraka said that the Resistance has examined the situation and informed both the Qatari and Egyptian sides that it will not discuss a prisoner swap until the Israeli aggression ceases, stressing that the Resistance aims to empty Israeli prisons, especially as the occupation recently increased the number of Palestinian prisoners from the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The US and Israelis can't sustain the war

Providing field updates, the senior official said that the occupation entity is unable to bear the losses it is suffering in Gaza, noting that the costs on the invading forces are significantly high.

"[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and [US President Joe] Biden are incapable of sustaining the war, but Netanyahu is using the Israeli army to remain in power for a longer duration," he stated, referring to the political crisis and criminal investigation the premier is facing.

Until recently, anti-government protests were suspended due to the war on Gaza, and court trials of Netanyahu on corruption charges were paused due to a judicial holiday break. However, both were resumed in the past two weeks as frustration is growing with Netanyahu and his government regarding their performance.

The Resistance is still fighting on all Gaza axes, Baraka confirmed, pointing out that the invading forces have not been able yet to establish and maintain a presence in areas it advanced to earlier, "as evidenced by the events in the Juhr al-Deek area today." Israeli media reported that occupation forces have retreated in several areas in Gaza, Juhr al-Deek being one of them.

Baraka revealed that the Resistance had prepared a defense plan before engaging in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, stressing, "We are in control on the battlefield and are more resilient than the occupiers."

Will not give up the prisoner card

Detailing the Israeli plan on the talks, Baraka said that "the enemy seeks to separate the files through brokering a prisoner exchange deal while also resuming aggression on Gaza," affirming that the Resistance will "not relinquish the prisoner card" and that all factions share this stance.

The Resistance's negotiating position is stronger with the prisoners card at hand, Baraka said, confirming that "we will not give it up."

"Hamas rejected any proposal for a one- or two-week ceasefire," the movement's official said, referring to Hamas' position that only a comprehensive and full ceasefire is accepted.

Relisting the conditions to start talks, he said: "ending the aggression, reopening the crossings, evacuating the wounded, and preserving the environment conducive to resistance."

"The Resistance desires an end to the war, but it does not want to compromise on the prisoner card and seeks to conduct an exchange deal based on its terms."

Baraka also touched upon the Palestinian internal reconciliation file with the Palestinian Authority, stating that it would be discussed later based on existing agreements, However, the current priority is to stop the Israeli aggression.

Downgrade in war objectives

On his part, the head of International Relations at the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said that the Israelis presented seven proposals to end the war, all of which indicated a retreat in the occupation entity's previously declared war objectives.

In a statement to Al Mayadeen, Maher al-Taher said that the proposals conveyed through Qatar include a suggestion for a two-week ceasefire, maintaining a buffer zone in northern Gaza, the entry of humanitarian aid to the Strip, allowing the return of Palestinian residents to the north, and establishing tents there to shelter those whose homes were destroyed in the aggression.

Furthermore, the Israeli proposal entails the release of prominent Palestinian prisoners, including Ahmed Saadat and Marwan Barghouti, as well as an exchange of non-military prisoners and female conscripts. It also addresses the withdrawal of Israeli forces from cities while retaining control over Wadi Gaza.

Al-Taher revealed that the Israeli occupation has insisted that "there should be no cessation of aggression." However, the Resistance has firmly asserted that it will not engage in any discussions without the prerequisite of releasing all Palestinian prisoners, based on the principle of "all for all," and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

In a related context, the Secretary-General of the National Initiative Movement, Mustafa al-Barghouti, told Al Mayadeen that "Israel" is facing four pressure factors, the most prominent being human losses, the long-term war, the deterioration of the economic situation, and a major revolution worldwide against it.

Al-Barghouti added that Netanyahu and Gantz want the war to continue because, after this phase, they will face investigative committees that will recommend their dismissal from their positions.

He also pointed out that the United States and Britain are participating in the aggression with fighters and aircraft, and not just political support.

Egyptian proposal for a 3-phase deal

The Palestinian officials' comments came following reports on Sunday that Egypt presented proposals aimed at advancing a new prisoner exchange agreement.

Senior Israeli officials have weighed in on the proposal but described it as preliminary and yet to be matured, Israeli media reported, adding that is expected to be discussed in the war Cabinet on Monday.

According to the reports, Egypt submitted a three-phase proposal to both "Israel" and Hamas on Saturday night.

The first phase mirrors a previous Israeli proposal, which includes a temporary ceasefire lasting one to two weeks, in exchange for the release of approximately 40 captives. This group primarily consists of women still in captivity, men over 60 years of age, and captives in urgent need of medical attention.

The second phase involves an exchange of bodies between the occupation entity and the Resistance party.

Meanwhile, the third and most comprehensive stage sees an "all for all" deal, as proposed initially by the Resistance during the first week of the war.

This final stage would entail the release of all captives held by Hamas, including Israeli soldiers, in exchange for the release of all Palestinians in Israeli prisons. Additionally, it would include a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the establishment of a new government in Gaza, supported by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar.

According to Israeli media, a senior Israeli official noted that accepting all stages of the proposal, particularly the third part of the deal, may pose challenges, while the first phase aligns closely with "Israel's" position.