Israel Proposes Safe Exit for Hamas Leader in Exchange for Hostages

Israel — In a bold move to end the ongoing conflict, Israel has offered Yahya Sinwar, leader of Hamas, safe passage out of Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages and the group’s surrender of control over the region. The proposal, revealed by Gal Hirsch, Israel’s special envoy for hostages, represents a significant shift in Israel’s strategy to resolve the deadlock with Hamas. However, skepticism surrounds the possibility of reaching a cease-fire agreement.

During an interview with Bloomberg News, Hirsch expressed Israel’s willingness to provide Sinwar, along with his family and associates, safe passage from Gaza. “We want the hostages back,” Hirsch stated, emphasizing Israel’s demand for demilitarization and a new governing structure for Gaza. This offer comes as efforts from the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt to mediate a cease-fire appear to be faltering, with Hamas reportedly dictating terms rather than engaging in meaningful negotiations.

Hirsch declined to disclose Hamas’s response to the offer but noted Israel’s continued openness to releasing prisoners as part of a broader deal. With the clock ticking, Hirsch indicated the urgency of finding alternative solutions should the safe passage plan fall through. “The clock is ticking; the hostages do not have time,” he said, underscoring the need for swift action.

Whether Hamas will entertain the proposal remains uncertain, particularly in light of Israel’s history of targeting Hamas leaders abroad. Although Isael has not claimed responsibility for the recent assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, another Hamas leader killed in a July bomb blast in Tehran, Iranian authorities have blamed Israel for the attack.

Sinwar, widely regarded by Israelis as the mastermind behind the deadly October 7 attacks, is seen as a symbol of Palestinian armed resistance. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has compared him to Adolf Hitler, reinforcing his role as a central figure in the ongoing conflict. Hirsch echoed this sentiment, noting that plans are in place to target those responsible for the deaths of six Israeli hostages in late August. He referenced Israel’s long-standing policy of retaliation, likening it to the “Munich-type response” used following the murder of 11 Israeli athletes during the 1972 Olympics.

The concept of exiling Hamas leaders has been floated by Israeli officials before. In a podcast earlier this year, Netanyahu suggested that the idea remains under consideration, emphasizing that the primary goal is for Hamas to surrender its arms to bring an end to the war.

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities provided new details about the captivity conditions of the six hostages killed in August. Video footage showed the cramped tunnel where the hostages were held, a space described as “very humid and hard to breathe in.” Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari detailed the makeshift living conditions, noting the presence of mattresses, energy bars, and bottles of urine. The hostages were reportedly killed while attempting to protect each other, Hagari said, vowing that Israeli forces would pursue those responsible.

As the conflict rages on, Hamas’s health ministry in Gaza reported that 19 civilians were killed in an Israeli airstrike near Khan Younis, bringing the Palestinian death toll to approximately 41,000. Since the start of the conflict, Hamas has killed over 1,200 Israelis and taken 250 hostages during their October incursion into southern Israel. Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the European Union.

This article by the Midtown Times was adopted from Bloomberg News Network.