Hamas using ‘psychological warfare’ to sabotage hostage deal

An Israeli official said that although Israel accepted the proposal ‘Hamas rejected the Qatari proposal, is creating obstacles, shows no willingness to compromise.’

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

As hostage deal negotiations reach a stalemate in Doha, a senior official in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office reported that Hamas is creating obstacles in the talks aimed at manipulating the Israeli public.

The officials said talks continued on Saturday involving representatives from both sides, along with mediators from Egypt and Qatar.

He said that although Israel accepted the proposal formulated by the Trump administration special envoy Steve Witkoff, “Hamas rejected the Qatari proposal, is creating obstacles, shows no willingness to compromise, and is engaged in psychological warfare to sabotage the negotiations,” the senior official claimed.

The official added that Israel “is willing to be flexible in the negotiations, while Hamas remains stubborn in its refusal, and adheres to positions that do not allow the mediators to go forward with an agreement.”

A Palestinian source told the BBC that Israel was to blame for the impasse. It alleged that Netanyahu sent a delegation to Doha merely to buy time when he was in Washington, visiting U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Israeli sources said the main point of contention between the two sides was regarding the deployment of IDF troops during the 60-day ceasefire.

Last week, Hamas said they had three issues with the current hostage release proposal regarding the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the distribution of humanitarian aid, and a pledge to end the war. They added that talks have been “tough” because of “Israeli intransigence.”

The current deal calls for the release of 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 deceased captives during a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for a specified number of Palestinian prisoners.

Since last Sunday, Israeli and Hamas negotiators have participated in eight rounds of indirect talks held in separate locations in Doha, the BBC reported.

The negotiations have been mediated by Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, along with senior Egyptian intelligence officials.

U.S. envoy Brett McGurk has also been present during the discussions