Hamas Leaders Clash Over Ceasefire and Hostage Exchange Deal
Hamas’s top leaders are arguing about the proposed ceasefire and hostage exchange deal, forcing it to be pushed off further and further, as revealed by the Wall Street Journal today, citing officials familiar with the negotiations.
Hamas head Yahya Sinwar and other leaders in the organization are allegedly ready and willing to sign off on a proposal to stop the fighting in Gaza for six weeks in exchange for the freeing of Israeli hostages. However, the organization’s exiled political leaders are demanding more concessions and want to negotiate a permanent ceasefire, as reported by the WSJ today.
Where does the hostage deal stand?
The Qatari foreign ministry announced on Thursday evening that Hamas had given its initial approval for a ceasefire and hostage deal. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer had a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the deal, which would free the 136 hostages.
What does the ceasefire and hostage deal include?
Reports have been varied about what is included in the US-backed hostage release and ceasefire deal. Most sources claim that it involves Hamas’s release of the remaining civilians among the hostages captured on October 7, followed by the release of Israeli soldiers, and finally the return of the bodies of the deceased hostages.
Furthermore, Israel is expected to release a larger number of jailed Palestinian security prisoners, some of whom are known terrorists with blood on their hands.
As a result, the ceasefire that will take effect will reportedly span over a far longer period than the previous one-week pause.
