The Hamas movement in Palestine has indicated that it does not seek to retain prisoners of war indefinitely and is actively pursuing a new arrangement for exchanging prisoners and detainees. This stance was conveyed by Musa Abu Marzuq, the deputy head of Hamas’s Political Bureau, in a statement reported by RIA News.
Marzuq explained that Hamas does not wish to hold onto its captives forever. Instead, the group aims to negotiate an agreement that aligns with the aspirations and sentiments of its people, signaling a preference for a comprehensive deal rather than prolonged detention alone.
According to him, ultimately Israel would be compelled to engage in a formal agreement, underscoring the belief that a mutual settlement is inescapable as the conflict persists.
Earlier, Egypt proposed a three-phase framework intended to halt the fighting between Israel and Hamas. The plan encompassed a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the establishment of a Palestinian government. An unnamed insider within Palestinian party circles indicated that there was careful consideration given to Egypt’s proposal as a pathway to de-escalate the Gaza crisis, with serious discussions ongoing about its viability.
On November 22, Israel and Hamas signaled a willingness to discuss a humanitarian pause and the release of selected hostages. A formal ceasefire agreement was subsequently signed on November 24 and entered into force, with the arrangement effectively starting in the early hours of December 1. During the first week of the ceasefire, Hamas reported that 110 hostages remained in captivity, with their fate and release continuing to be a focal point of negotiations.
In related regional discourse, Dmitry Medvedev publicly spoke about the potential for a prolonged, perhaps century-long, conflict in the Middle East, highlighting the volatility and enduring nature of regional tensions that inform policy discussions and strategic calculations on all sides.