The Deputy Head of Hamas in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, confirmed in a press conference in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, that Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the occupation army will not be able to achieve any accomplishment, and "we are confident of their defeat."

Al-Hayya pointed out in his statement at the press conference that "the occupation forces have turned Al-Shifa Hospital and the Indonesian Hospital into military barracks, and they are working to put the health system in northern Gaza out of service," and considered that "the occupation's announcement of tunnels under Al-Shifa Hospital is a ridiculous play that no one believed."

Hamas Accuses the Occupation of Lying

Al-Hayya affirmed that "the occupation continues lying and fabricating plays to justify targeting hospitals and infrastructure, and it seeks to push the people of Gaza to relocate southward and then out of the Strip toward Egypt."

At the same time, he confirmed that "there is no displacement and no departure, and our people in Gaza are holding on to their land, and the Rafah crossing must remain open to bring in all the needs of our people in Gaza for life's necessities, and what enters Gaza of foodstuffs does not equal 10% of the sector’s needs."

In this context, Khalil al-Hayya, a member of Hamas's political bureau, said that "there have been dialogues for a month and we exchange proposals under the sponsorship of Qatar and Egypt regarding the truce, and the occupation is evasive, and every time we get close to an agreement, we go backward, and we cannot say so far that an agreement has happened."

He stressed the "necessity for the Rafah crossing to remain open to bring in all the needs of our people in Gaza for life's necessities because what enters Gaza of foodstuffs does not equal 10% of the sector’s needs."

Khalil al-Hayya, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, said that the movement has delivered its response to Qatar and Egypt on the last proposal regarding the truce and the prisoner swap deal, and "we are waiting for the occupation's response." He added during a press conference in Beirut that if the occupation does not want this truce, it will place hundreds of obstacles before it. He confirmed that the occupation has been evasive for a month, and every time we get close to an agreement, we go backward.

Netanyahu Meets for the Deal with Hamas

In this context, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened the war government on Tuesday, amid increasing indications of an imminent agreement to release hostages held by fighters of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Gaza Strip for more than six weeks.

A statement issued by Netanyahu's office said that he told reservist soldiers: "We are making progress. I do not think it deserves to be described as very large, not yet, but I hope there will be good news soon." Netanyahu did not provide further details.

His office said: "In light of developments in the matter of releasing our hostages," Netanyahu will hold a war government meeting at six p.m. (16:00 GMT), the expanded security cabinet at seven p.m. (17:00 GMT), and the entire government at eight p.m. (18:00 GMT).

Dozens of Israeli Prisoners Held by Hamas

Two members of the far-right in Netanyahu’s government said they would vote against the agreement when the full government convenes, but they are not expected to tip the balance.

There has been talk in recent days about an imminent agreement concerning the detainees. Hamas detained about 240 people during its attack on Israel on October 7, which Israel said resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people.

Kamelia Hoter Ishay, the grandmother of Ghali Trshansky (13 years old), believed to be held in Gaza, said she tries not to follow reports related to the agreement because she fears disappointment.

She added, "The only thing I am waiting for is the phone call from my daughter Rioma telling me (Ghali will come back)... Then I will know that it is really over, and I can breathe a sigh of relief and say that’s it, it’s over."

Trshansky was kidnapped from his grandmother's home in Be’eri, one of the most affected towns by Hamas's attack last month.

Indicating that he expects the hostages to return soon, Netanyahu's office said it will hold a meeting with the general directors of all relevant government ministries to prepare for treatment and assistance in light of the developments.

Details of the Israel-Hamas Deal

An American official familiar with the negotiations brokered by Qatar said that Hamas will release 50 hostages, most of them women and children, in exchange for Israel releasing 150 Palestinian prisoners and a ceasefire for four or five days.

A source familiar with the negotiations said among those released are foreigners.

The two far-right ministers in Netanyahu’s government, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, said the best way to reach a good agreement is to continue military pressure.

Before the government meeting, Smotrich said in a statement that if the reports are correct, "the proposed deal is bad and we should not agree to it. It is bad for Israel’s security, bad for the hostages, and bad for the IDF soldiers."

It is noted that for 46 days the Israeli army has been waging a devastating war on Gaza, resulting in more than 13,300 Palestinian deaths, including more than 5,600 children and 3,550 women, as well as more than 31,000 injured, 75% of whom are children and women, according to the Gaza government media office.