The deal under discussion would provide for the release of some 40 Israeli captives in return for a temporary truce and the release of hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners, including some convicted of deadly attacks.
In separate interviews, several Hamas officials offered varying comments regarding the state of the talks, ranging from rejection of the latest US-drafted, Israeli-backed terms to assertions that the terror group was still studying the proposal. However, none of those speaking were believed to be among the handful of Hamas leaders actually involved in decision-making.
One Hamas official speaking on condition of anonymity to Reuters said negotiations have been at a deadlock due to Israel’s refusal to agree to Hamas’s demands for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of its forces from Gaza, the unrestricted return of all Palestinians to the northern Strip and the lifting of a 17-year-old blockade to allow speedy reconstruction of the coastal enclave.
These steps took precedence over Israel’s prime demand for a release of hostages in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, said this official. “Regarding the exchange of prisoners, Hamas was and is willing to be more flexible, but there is no flexibility over our… main demands,” he said. READ MORE