Israeli officials have raised concerns that the United States may finalize a deal with Hamas involving the release of only one or two hostages, a move that could pressure Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. According to reporting from The Jerusalem Post, Israeli sources emphasized that the government continues to insist that any ceasefire agreement allowing humanitarian access to the enclave must include the release of at least ten hostages. Despite ongoing indirect talks, Hamas is reportedly holding firm on its demand for a full end to hostilities, though mediators from Qatar and Egypt are applying intense pressure on the group behind the scenes.
The ongoing negotiations, confirmed by both The Jerusalem Post and Reuters, have involved direct discussions between Hamas and the U.S. administration regarding a possible ceasefire in Gaza. A senior Hamas official told Al Jazeera that these talks have become more advanced in recent days, focusing on both humanitarian aid and efforts to end the conflict. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged in a closed-door committee meeting that Hamas may offer to release dual national Edan Alexander as a goodwill gesture to the Americans, he cautioned that the broader hostage situation remains unresolved.
Previously, U.S. envoy Adam Boehler held direct talks with Hamas, marking a rare engagement between Washington and the group, which the United States has designated as a terrorist organization since 1997. These talks, which took place in Qatar, focused primarily on the release of American and dual national hostages. Though Boehler was later removed from these negotiations, the dialogue continued, underscoring the urgency the U.S. places on resolving the hostage crisis. The Jerusalem Post had earlier reported that the Biden administration is also eager to restore humanitarian aid to Gaza, regardless of whether a broader agreement with Hamas is achieved.
Israeli officials, however, remain wary that such limited deals could embolden Hamas while failing to address the larger hostage crisis or halt the conflict. The extra food aid that entered Gaza prior to March is expected to be depleted within weeks, adding further urgency to the situation. Israel had initially threatened to block all new aid shipments unless Hamas agreed to additional hostage releases, but current humanitarian conditions may force adjustments to that position even without a breakthrough in negotiations.
Amid this tense backdrop, the broader regional and diplomatic implications of any U.S.-Hamas deal remain unclear. While the talks mark a significant development, Israel fears that piecemeal agreements could undermine its broader military and diplomatic objectives. Both The Jerusalem Post and Reuters report that the joint statement expected from the U.S. and Hamas will clarify the terms of the current dialogue, though Israeli officials remain skeptical that such efforts will bring meaningful change to the situation in Gaza or alleviate the hostage crisis.
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