Israeli officials familiar with negotiations over the release of hostages said Thursday that the latest message from Hamas, expressing supposed willingness to discuss a comprehensive deal, contained nothing new.
According to the officials, Hamas' aim remains what they called "the continuation of control in Gaza in the Hezbollah model." The reference is to Hezbollah's dominance in Lebanon prior to being defeated by Israel, when the Lebanese government formally ruled in Beirut but the terror organization was the decisive power. "There is nothing new in this proposal. Hamas' announcement was simply a response to Trump's remarks," an Israeli official said.
On Wednesday night, Hamas leaders announced that they were open to a comprehensive deal, but only if Israel agreed to a list of demands. These included the release of an unspecified number of imprisoned terrorists, a full withdrawal of IDF troops from the Gaza Strip, and the reopening of all border crossings.
The terrorist organization also said it would agree to the establishment of an independent Palestinian technocratic administration, which would immediately assume responsibility for all civil affairs in Gaza.
The statement followed Trump's post on Truth, in which he wrote: "Tell Hamas to IMMEDIATELY give back all 20 Hostages (Not 2 or 5 or 7!), and things will change rapidly. IT WILL END!"
