Is Hamas ready for a ceasefire agreement? Conflicting reports about terror group’s willingness to compromise

Following the announcement of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon on Tuesday, Hamas announced that it too was willing to negotiate a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. 

Following the announcement of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, a Hamas official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the terror group is ready to resume negotiations with Israel. 

“We have informed mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey that Hamas is ready for a ceasefire agreement and a serious deal to exchange prisoners,” the official told AFP. 

In announcing the Lebanon ceasefire, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke of the possibility for a ceasefire deal in Gaza as well. 

“So, now, Hamas has a choice to make: their only way out is to release the hostages including American citizens which they hold.” Biden also stated that the devastating war between Hamas and Israel, as well as other Iranian proxies, must be stopped and order restored to the entire region. 

Before leaving the podium, Biden said, “Peace is possible.” 

Meanwhile, Israeli politicians from the coalition government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were quick to dismiss the idea that the Lebanese ceasefire agreement would lead automatically to a similar agreement in Gaza. 

On Thursday morning, in a Wall Street Journal report on President Biden’s cooperation with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, the newspaper cast doubt on the idea that Hamas has softened its positions in a ceasefire negotiation. 

“U.S. officials concede that Hamas militants haven’t shown signs that they are ready for a Gaza cease-fire deal before Biden leaves office on Jan. 20,” the report claimed. 

A careful examination of Hamas’ initial statement after the Lebanon ceasefire deal was announced appears to support this interpretation. 

“We praise the central role played by the Islamic resistance in Lebanon [Hezbollah], in supporting the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian resistance, and the great sacrifices made by Hezbollah and its leadership, headed by Martyr Nasrallah,” the Hamas statement said. “At the same time, we declare our commitment to cooperate with all ceasefire efforts in Gaza, and make sure to stop the war against our people, under the conditions of stopping the war against Gaza that we have agreed upon. This is a ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation forces, the return of the displaced persons and the completion of a prisoner exchange.” 

Hamas’ demand for a total ceasefire, withdrawal of the IDF, the return of evacuated Gazans, and a hostage-Palestinian prisoner exchange were all restated. 

The Israeli government, despite statements from cabinet minister such as new Defense Minister Israel Katz, saying that Israel intends to “make every effort” for a hostage deal, is not likely to agree to such conditions. 

“We intend to make every effort to create the conditions for a new hostage deal and bring everyone home - this is the most important moral goal we are facing now,” DM Katz said Wednesday during a conference at the Ministry of Defense. 

However, Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar said that a delegation from Egypt would visit Israel on Thursday to discuss an “integrated vision” for ending the Gaza War. 

Reportedly, the Egyptian plan does not call for an initial withdrawal of IDF troops from the Gaza Strip. Instead, it calls for a ceasefire lasting two months, in which the hostages would be released gradually, in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners.