Following US President Donald Trump's call for the release of all hostages, the Hamas terrorist organization reiterated Wednesday its longstanding position that it is prepared for a comprehensive deal to free them, but only if a series of its demands are met.
These are Hamas' demands:
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The release of an unspecified number of Palestinian terrorists. Based on the Witkoff framework, this would mean at least several hundred prisoners.
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An end to the war in the Gaza Strip, meaning a permanent ceasefire and a halt to targeted killings.
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A full withdrawal of Israel Defense Forces troops from Gaza, effectively restoring the situation to the lines of October 6.
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The reopening of all border crossings to allow the unrestricted entry of supplies into the Strip. In previous talks, Hamas demanded up to 600 trucks a day.
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The start of a reconstruction process for Gaza, a long-term program expected to last years and cost billions of dollars.
In addition, Hamas said it agrees to the establishment of an independent Palestinian government of technocrats that would immediately assume full responsibility for the administration of the Gaza Strip.
The implication is that Hamas' military wing would continue operating and rebuilding its forces underground, while daily governance would be handled by a Palestinian civil authority.
The terrorist organization noted that it is still waiting for the Israeli government's response to its agreement to mediators' proposal for a partial, gradual hostage deal based on the Witkoff framework.
The Prime Minister's Office said: "Unfortunately, this is yet another spin by Hamas that contains nothing new. The war can immediately end under the conditions set by the cabinet: 1. The release of all hostages. 2. The disarmament of Hamas. 3. The demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. 4. Israeli security control in the Strip. 5. The establishment of an alternative civilian government that does not indoctrinate for terrorism, does not dispatch terrorism, and does not threaten Israel. Only these conditions will prevent Hamas from rearming and repeating the October 7 massacre again and again, as it has vowed."
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz responsed, saying Hamas "continues to deceive with empty words, but will soon understand it faces two options: accept Israel's conditions to end the war, first and foremost the release of all hostages and disarmament, or see Gaza become like Rafah and Beit Hanoun. The IDF is fully prepared."
