Hamas Links All Hostage Releases to End of Gaza War, Prisoner Swap Guarantees Amid Cairo Talks

Hamas Sets Conditions for Full Hostage Release

Hamas has declared its willingness to release all Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip, but only in exchange for a “serious prisoner swap” and explicit guarantees that Israel will permanently end the conflict in the besieged enclave. The position was articulated on Monday, April 14, 2025, by senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu following a round of intense negotiations held in Cairo, the Egyptian capital.

The multi-party talks, involving crucial mediation efforts from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, aimed to broker a sustainable ceasefire and facilitate a breakthrough in the impasse surrounding the hostages held since the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. However, Hamas’s latest statement underscores the significant gap that remains between the warring parties’ demands.

Detailing Hamas’s Demands

According to al-Nunu, the core conditions set forth by Hamas for the release of all captives are multifaceted and non-negotiable from their perspective. These demands include:

* A serious prisoner swap deal, implying the release of a substantial number of Palestinian prisoners currently held by Israel in exchange for the hostages.
* An end to the war in the Gaza Strip, signifying a complete cessation of Israeli military operations.
* The withdrawal of Israeli forces from all areas of Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes and facilitating the entry of aid and reconstruction efforts.
* The unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, addressing the critical and worsening humanitarian crisis in the territory.

These conditions represent a long-standing position for the Palestinian group, emphasizing that a temporary pause or partial deal is insufficient without fundamental shifts in the status of the conflict and the blockade on Gaza.

Accusations and Need for Guarantees

Taher al-Nunu did not shy away from placing blame for the lack of progress directly on Israel. He accused the Israeli government of obstructing efforts towards reaching a ceasefire agreement. According to al-Nunu, the primary obstacle is not merely the number of captives involved in a potential exchange, but rather Israel’s alleged pattern of reneging on previous commitments and its continued pursuit of the war in Gaza.

Hamas has consistently stressed the critical need for robust guarantees from mediators – specifically citing the involvement of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States – to ensure that Israel would be compelled to uphold any agreement reached. Without such guarantees, Hamas appears unwilling to proceed with significant concessions regarding the hostages.

Reported Alternative Proposal Emerges

Amidst the stalled talks, reports from an Israeli news website, Ynet, surfaced detailing an alternative proposal allegedly put forward. According to the Ynet report, this proposal would involve Hamas initially releasing a smaller group of 10 living hostages. In exchange for this specific release, the report suggested that Hamas would receive guarantees from the United States that Israel would subsequently enter negotiations aimed at a second phase of the ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange process.

This reported proposal, if accurate, indicates potential efforts from the Israeli side or mediators to break the deadlock by proposing a phased approach, starting with a smaller, more manageable exchange before tackling the larger, more complex demands for a full withdrawal and end to the war. However, Hamas’s public stance, as articulated by al-Nunu, suggests they are holding out for a comprehensive agreement that addresses their core demands simultaneously.

Hamas Firm on Disarming Stance

Another significant point of contention that remains unresolved is the future status of Hamas’s military capabilities. Israel has repeatedly stated that a key condition for ending the war is the disarmament of Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza.

However, Taher al-Nunu unequivocally rejected this possibility. Reaffirming Hamas’s long-held position, he stated firmly, “The weapons of the resistance are not up for negotiation.” This statement underscores the deep ideological and strategic divide between the two sides, making a comprehensive resolution that satisfies both parties exceedingly difficult to achieve.

As negotiations continue under the watchful eyes of international mediators in Cairo, the stark differences in the conditions set by Hamas and the demands put forth or reported on by Israel highlight the immense challenges in securing a lasting ceasefire and a deal that would bring all hostages home while addressing the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The insistence on guarantees by Hamas and the firm stance on disarming by Israel remain major stumbling blocks in the path toward peace.