Hamas Adjusts Demands in Hostage Negotiations, Restarting Talks
In a surprising turn of events, Hamas has shifted its demands in the ongoing negotiations with Israel regarding a hostage and prisoner exchange. The militant group is no longer insisting on an immediate permanent cease-fire as a precondition for beginning the exchange, according to sources familiar with the talks.
The new proposal put forward by Hamas suggests a phased approach, where the release of hostages would be exchanged for a gradual pullback of Israeli troops from certain parts of the Gaza Strip, along with the release of Palestinian prisoners. This modification in demands has sparked hope for a potential restart of negotiations.
The White House has welcomed the new Hamas proposal and confirmed that talks will resume soon in Doha, Qatar, although without the presence of an American delegation. John F. Kirby, a national security communications adviser for the White House, expressed cautious optimism about the progress but emphasized the need to continue working towards a resolution.
The United States has been applying pressure on Hamas to return to the negotiating table and ease its demands. Various promises of humanitarian aid and vague threats to close down Hamas’s political office in Doha have been made by negotiating parties to encourage cooperation.
While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly dismissed the new proposal, other Israeli officials have shown a more positive response, especially considering Hamas’s previous refusal to offer terms for a hostage swap. Negotiators, including senior Israeli intelligence officials, are expected to travel to Doha for talks as early as Sunday.
The Hamas proposal aligns with the framework agreed upon by Israel, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States in previous talks in Paris. While acknowledging the positive step taken by Hamas, officials emphasize the need to bridge the remaining gaps between the parties.
Under the proposed agreement, Israeli troops would initially pull back towards central Gaza, allowing some civilians to return home. The exchange of hostages would involve the release of more Palestinian prisoners than initially offered in the U.S.-backed proposal.
The phased approach outlined by Hamas includes the release of female hostages and elderly, sick, or injured male prisoners in the first phase. Subsequent phases would involve further releases in exchange for a cessation of hostilities and the return of deceased hostages’ bodies.
Despite Israel’s resistance to a permanent cease-fire, American officials have been advocating for a temporary halt in fighting as a starting point for the exchange. The details of the Hamas proposal were first reported by Al Jazeera.
The negotiations have been ongoing for weeks, with a focus on a three-phase approach to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas and its allies. The shift in Hamas’s demands marks a significant development in the negotiations, offering hope for a potential breakthrough in the conflict.
