Despite reports suggesting a shift in Hamas's stance during negotiations in Cairo, the terrorist organization has reverted to setting numerous preconditions, including the establishment of a Palestinian state and its integration into the state's security forces. "Hamas took one step forward and three steps back," an American diplomatic source stated, even as senior Hamas officials leaked to Arab media their readiness to accept the Witkoff proposal previously rejected in Doha.
Over the weekend, reports indicated a noticeable change in Hamas' position at the talks in Egypt, which laid the groundwork for renewing and fast-tracking the negotiations. This led to the drafting of an American proposal for a phased agreement to end the war, with a slightly modified version of the original Witkoff outline constituting the initial phase.
According to American and Arab sources, however, Hamas introduced both old and new demands related to the final settlement. While expressing a long-term willingness to discuss surrendering its "heavy" weapons, the group conditioned this on the establishment of a Palestinian state that would receive the arms and the integration of Hamas into its security forces. Further demands included international guarantees that Israel would not resume fighting and a complete Israeli withdrawal as a prerequisite for releasing all hostages.
An American diplomatic source observed that disagreements within the Hamas leadership, coupled with Iranian influence, are clearly hindering alternative decisions. An Arab source added that Egypt's insistence on the terrorist delegations remaining in Cairo is part of a broader effort to exert counter-pressure on Hamas' leadership, aiming to secure an agreement on a framework acceptable to both the US and Israel.
