Hamas Demands Hinder Hostage Negotiations
On Friday, the White House criticized Hamas for making demands that have been deemed “entirely impractical”. This assertion was made amidst ongoing negotiations for the release of a US-Israeli hostage in exchange for a potential extension of the ceasefire in Gaza. A statement from Steve Witkoff, the U.S. envoy, along with the National Security Council, highlighted the urgency of the situation, asserting, “Hamas is making a very bad bet that time is on its side. It is not.”
The statement also emphasized that Hamas is aware of the impending deadline for the negotiations and warned that failure to comply would yield serious consequences, as President Trump has indicated Hamas would face a “severe price” for any inaction regarding the release of hostages.
Hamas’s Stance on Hostage Release
Earlier on the same day, Hamas announced its willingness to release an Israeli-American hostage alongside the remains of four others, coinciding with the resumption of indirect ceasefire discussions between Palestinian militants and Israel. This development came after Witkoff proposed a “bridge” plan in Qatar that would prolong the current truce until mid-April, contingent upon the release of living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Witkoff’s proposal included a clear demand that Edan Alexander, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, be released immediately. However, the White House expressed frustration, stating that Hamas had responded by publicly claiming flexibility while simultaneously pressing for demands that are unrealistic without establishing a permanent ceasefire.
US Commitment to All Hostages
When questioned about whether the United States was prioritizing the release of the American hostage, Secretary of State Marco Rubio firmly stated, “We care about all the hostages.” He underscored the severity of the situation, describing the hostage negotiations as far from routine, stating, “This is an outrage. So they should all be released.” Rubio’s comments came following discussions involving the Group of Seven nations in Canada.
He refrained from detailing what terms the U.S. would be willing to accept but made clear that the international community should unite in condemning Hamas’s actions, labeling them as “outrageous, ridiculous, sick, and disgusting.” This sentiment reflects a growing consensus among global leaders regarding the treatment of hostages during these complex negotiations.
