• Hamas rejected a $2 billion offer for leadership relocation and disarmament, calling it a surrender and demanding a full comprehensive ceasefire.
• Hamas expressed readiness for a full agreement covering an end to the Israeli occupation onslaught, lifting the blockade, and a complete hostage-prisoner exchange.
Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reports that Hamas rejected a proposal worth $2 billion, which offered its military leaders relocation from Gaza along with financial incentives.
However, there have been conflicting reports regarding the origin of the proposal. Qatari Al-Araby Al-Jadeed attributes it to the United States. In contrast, Mohamed Khayal, editor-in-chief of the Egyptian news outlet Al-Shard, claims the offer presented to Hamas came from Arab Gulf states.
The particulars of the proposal include incentives such as immunity, financial compensation, and secure foreign residency in exchange for the departure of Hamas’ military leadership from Gaza.
The offer of $2 billion was intended for distribution among senior leaders of the Al-Qassam Brigades—the military wing of Hamas—based on their rank. Notable figures named included Mohammad al-Sinwar (brother of slain Hamas leader Yahya al-Sinwar), Mohammed Shabaneh of the Rafah Brigade, and Ezzedine al-Haddad of the Gaza Brigade.
An additional component of the proposal reportedly placed a monetary value on Hamas’s weapons stockpile in exchange for disarmament.
Hamas unequivocally rejected the proposal, characterising it as a total capitulation— especially after Israel’s failure to decisively defeat the group militarily.
Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported that the Al-Qassam Brigades’ military council and field commanders were the source of the rejection, firmly reiterating their demand for a comprehensive ceasefire encompassing the West Bank and Jerusalem.
On April 17, Hamas announced that it is willing to negotiate a deal but demands a comprehensive end to the Israeli onslaught. In a broadcast carried by Hamas’ official channels, Khalil Al-Hayya—Hamas’s leader in Gaza and chief negotiator—urged the swift establishment of a comprehensive agreement that addresses all critical issues.
“Partial agreements on Gaza serve only as political cover for (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s agenda of continued war, genocide and starvation,” said Al-Hayya, warning that any piecemeal arrangements would only prolong Palestinian suffering.
“We are ready to immediately engage in comprehensive package negotiations for the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for an agreed number of our prisoners held by the occupation, a complete end to the war, full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the start of reconstruction, and the lifting of the blockade,” he said.
Sources indicated that responsibility for the next step now lies with the Israeli government and its American allies.
On Saturday, Gaza’s health ministry reported that 921 people have been killed since Israel resumed major airstrikes on 18th March. According to the ministry, this figure includes 25 murders in the past 24 hours. The total reported death toll in Gaza since October 7th 2023 now stands at 50,277.
