Yahya Sinwar (AP/Khalil Hamra)
Hamas’ political bureau has shown some willingness to compromise … but Sinwar’s maximalist demands continuously win out.
At a recent US State Department briefing, an American official told reporters that Yahya Sinwar, leader of the Hamas terrorist group in the Gaza Strip, is single-handedly holding up any progress on a potential hostage deal, according to reports.
The senior Biden administration official said that while Hamas’ political bureau has shown some willingness to compromise on the terror group’s most hardline positions, Sinwar’s maximalist demands continuously win out.
“Sinwar has made the decision he’d rather hold [the hostages] rather than securing a ceasefire, and that’s just the truth of the situation,” the official said.
The United States and 17 other countries issued a joint statement on Thursday calling for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas, reaffirming the international community’s commitment to resolving the crisis.
Amid the diplomatic maneuvers, Egypt reportedly presented a new hostage deal proposal to Hamas and Israel, signaling ongoing efforts to find a resolution to the protracted crisis in Gaza.
US negotiators have said in recent days that Israel has made significant concessions to try and engender a hostage deal with Hamas — and that Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “fully agreed” to the proposed deal currently being offered to Hamas.
Israeli media reported earlier on Thursday that Israeli officials are considering a proposed deal which would see 33 hostages held by Hamas released.
The Palestinian terrorist group kidnapped 253 people during its Oct. 7 massacre across southern Israel. About 130 of the abductees remain in captivity in Gaza, although it’s unclear how many of them are still alive.
Energy Minister Eli Cohen said expanding natural gas exploration and attracting major international energy companies…
Prime Minister Netanyahu again urged unity in forming a coalition government, calling on other parties…
Under U.S. anti-boycott laws, sanctions on Israel could cut British and Dutch citizens off from…
Yashar chairman Roy Folkman is also expected to chair the Knesset Arrangements Committee following Tuesday’s…
Tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran keep escalating as US forces strike an offending…
The complaints included allegations that individuals outside polling stations instructed voters whom to support and…