Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Canada welcomes "Israel" and Hamas's agreement to implement the first phase of Trump's plan to end the war.
Al-Dali to Al Mayadeen: The presence of resistance leaders at the negotiations and the signing of the agreement, after "Israel" attempted to assassinate them in Qatar, is a humiliation for the occupation.
Al-Dali to Al Mayadeen: The agreement will be signed in the presence of Resistance leaders, led by Hamas, with senior official Khalil al-Hayya set to sign the agreement.
Trump to Fox News: I believe Iran is going to be involved in the peace situation.
Trump: Gaza will be rebuilt.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The occupation forces continue their violations, and warplanes are entering Gazan airspace at this moment.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The fate of thousands of civilians and journalists remains unknown.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The occupation forces continue bombing various areas of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas: We renew our pledge to our brave prisoners and their families that they will remain at the heart of our priorities, and we will not rest until the last prisoner enjoys freedom.
Hamas: We are awaiting the final approval of the names ahead of announcing them through the Prisoners’ Media Office.

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

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen
  • 25 Dec 2023 02:26
7 Min Read

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.

  • x
  • Resistance position clear, no talks until Israeli war stops: Official
    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.

Read more: Gaza's reconstruction and more... What are PIJ's goals in Egypt talks?

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."

Read more: Ceasefire, IOF withdrawal prerequisite to prisoner exchange: Al-Hindi

"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."

Related News

'Israel' resumes aggression on Gaza despite ceasefire announcement

Trump says Gaza phase one agreed on, to give speech in Israeli Knesset

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.

Read more: Thousands of Israelis rally demanding prisoner swap deal with Hamas

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.

Read more: Hamas says no prisoner swap deal before aggression ends

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.

Read more: You want to receive us as corpses: Israeli captives to war cabinet

  • Gaza Strip
  • Operation Al-Aqsa Flood
  • Palestine
  • Al-Aqsa Flood
  • Egypt
  • Israeli aggression
  • PFLP
  • Israel
  • Benjamin Netanyahu
  • Israeli occupation
  • Hamas
  • Palestinian resistance
  • Gaza
  • Qatar
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
An Israeli armored vehicle moves on a street of a local market during a military raid in the West Bank refugee camp of Balata, Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli settlers kill Palestinian youth near Ramallah amid raids

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during the Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran interested in resuming nuclear talks: Lavrov

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a news conference at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters in Washington, April 25, 2025 (AP)
Politics

IMF head flags US budget, Europe Defense spending challenges

Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, at UN headquarters (AP)
Politics

Meloni faces ICC complaint over Gaza genocide complicity with Israelis

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS