In recent negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, Israel is digging in on one non-negotiable demand - the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas militants before ending military operations.
As reported by the Times of Israel, senior Israeli negotiator told AFP that "dozens [of hostages] are alive with certainty ... We cannot leave them there a long time. They will die." He added that the vast majority of hostages are held by Hamas terrorists.
Israel contends it cannot risk ending the conflict prematurely, fearing Hamas could "breach their commitment...and drag out the negotiations for 10 years ... We cannot, at this point in time — before signing the agreement — commit to ending the war, because during the first phase, there's a clause that we hold negotiations about the second phase. The second phase is the release of the men and male soldier hostages."
The stark comments lay bare the high-stakes dynamics playing out behind closed doors as the Biden administration pushes a ceasefire proposal. The Israeli negotiating team has given the green light to the U.S. plan, but is awaiting Hamas' response.
"We expect, and are waiting for, Hamas to say 'yes,'" the negotiator said.
Should the hostage impasse persist, Israel made clear it has no intention of relenting militarily. "In the event we don't reach an agreement with Hamas, the IDF will continue to fight in the Gaza Strip in a no less intense fashion than it's fighting now," the official stated, vowing an aggressive campaign by different means.
With both sides dug in, the fate of the captives has emerged as the ultimate dealmaker or dealbreaker for an end to the Israel-Gaza war.
