US Proposes Exchange Formula in Gaza Truce Talks

The United States, aiming to secure a new truce in Gaza, has put forth a “bridging proposal” regarding the exchange of jailed Palestinians for hostages held by Hamas, an Israeli official said on Saturday. The negotiations, hosted in Qatar and involving an Israeli delegation led by Mossad chief David Barnea, are being mediated with assistance from CIA Director William Burns, alongside Qatari and Egyptian officials. The talks with Hamas, the armed Palestinian group that rules the Gaza Strip, have revealed substantial differences, particularly concerning the ratio of prisoners to hostages.

Israel, determined to continue its offensive until Hamas’ capabilities are substantially weakened, faces Hamas’ demand for a deal that could halt hostilities without leading to formal peace. The US proposal aims to address these tensions, although specifics remain undisclosed. Israel has responded positively to the proposal, the Israeli official said, while Hamas’ response is pending.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas senior official, criticized the proposal as not guaranteeing an end to Israel’s counteroffensive in the Gaza Strip. “What America and the Occupation [Israel] want is to regain the captives without a commitment to end the aggression, which means the resumption of war, killing and destruction, and we can’t accept that,” he said. This stance comes amid Israel’s suggestion of a temporary halt in offensive operations in exchange for the release of hostages, with the US and Israel agreeing on the necessity of addressing the threat presented by Hamas’ continued rule.