Hamas Rejects Offers For Yahya Sinwar's Way Out From Gaza In Reward For Hostage Release

JAKARTA - The Palestinian militant group Hamas will not accept Israel's offer of a safe solution for its leader Yahya Sinwar from the Gaza Strip, in exchange for the release of hostages in the Palestinian enclave, a senior source said on Thursday.

When asked if the group would consider the proposal, the Hamas source told The National News: "Of course not. Sinwar and Hamas will not accept it," as quoted September 13.

"It is not in our leadership's nature to be selfish, give in for personal interests, or run away. We will accept nothing but an honorable exchange deal. Either through an agreement or vice versa, Sinwar's brother doesn't think about leaving Gaza," the source continued.

Earlier, Israeli hostage envoy Gal Hirsch told Bloomberg on Tuesday she was ready to "provide a safe path for Sinwar, her family, anyone who wants to join her".

Hirsch declined to comment on whether Hamas had responded to the offer. He said Israel would be willing to release the Palestinian prisoners he detained as part of any agreement.

"We want the hostages back. We want demilitarization, deradicalization of course, a new system that will manage Gaza," he explained.

Meanwhile, an Israeli official told The National the offer had been submitted for at least two days. It was seen as a major concession by Israel to revive ceasefire negotiations.

It is believed, Sinwar, Head of the Political Bureau of Hamas, who replaced the late Ismail Haniyeh, is located in a broad Hamas tunnel network under Gaza.

Letting him go out questioned one of Israel's main war goals, the destruction of Hamas and its leadership, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently campaigned for despite international pressure on civilian casualties from the war.

There is also growing public anger in Israel based on belief that PM Netanyahu's hardline approach endangered the hostages, with routine protests taking place, some of which were accompanied by violence.

The Israeli Prime Minister's office, where Hirsch works, did not immediately respond to questions about the matter. However, Israel has a long history of killing enemies abroad, with the latest being the late Haniyeh while in Tehran, Iran.

Hirsch said the idea for a safe journey was raised in a bid to save the ceasefire negotiation process, which she said was starting to "looks even more gloomy".

"Time is going on. The hostages don't have time," he said.

However, political sources close to Hamas said they expected a new US plan for the Gaza ceasefire deal to be presented in the next 48 hours.