WASHINGTON - The United States and 17 other countries including Thailand on Thursday issued an appeal for Hamas to release sick, elderly and wounded hostages as a pathway to end the crisis in Gaza.
All 18 countries have citizens still being held by Hamas six months after the Palestinian militant group launched its assault on southern Israel and killed 1,200 people. Eight Thais are among those hostages.
But Hamas reiterated its demand that Israel end the Gaza war as part of any deal to release hostages held in the territory. US pressure on Hamas “has no value”, said spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri.
“We call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza now for over 200 days,” the statement by the 18 countries said, in what a senior US official called an "extraordinary display of unanimity".
The signatories were the leaders of the United States, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand and the United Kingdom.
“We emphasise that the deal on the table to release the hostages would bring an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza, that would facilitate a surge of additional necessary humanitarian assistance to be delivered throughout Gaza, and lead to the credible end of hostilities,” the statement said.
“Gazans would be able to return to their homes and their lands with preparations beforehand to ensure shelter and humanitarian provisions.”
A senior US official, briefing reporters about the statement, said there were some indications that there might be an avenue for an agreement on the hostage crisis but that he was not totally confident.
He did not elaborate but said the resolution was dependent on “one guy”: Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar.
Israeli officials did not immediately confirm or comment on the offer detailed in the statement.
Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer told reporters when asked about hostage diplomacy that “it is Hamas that is dragging their feet” on an agreement.
“It is Hamas that continues to walk away from the table. It is Hamas that refuses to let our people go. They must be let go right now,” he said.