Israel dismisses unverified reports of progress on hostage talks with Hamas

Israel denied on Wednesday unverified reports suggesting progress in the indirect hostage talks with the terror organization Hamas, which is believed to still be holding more than 100 Israeli and international hostages captive in Gaza.

The United States, Qatar and Egypt have reportedly been pushing hard for a diplomatic initiative that would release all of the hostages, end the war and establish a Palestinian Arab state in Gaza and the West Bank. 

However, an unnamed Israeli official stressed that the reports are premature as wide gaps remain between Israel and Hamas. 

“Reports of an agreement in principle to a ceasefire are not correct. There are very large gaps and there is no advancement in talks,” the Israeli official said during an interview with the Israeli Ynet news outlet. “It’s very complicated. Hamas is constantly hardening its position,” the official added. 

While Israel would be inclined to accept a shorter ceasefire, Hamas reportedly had demanded several months of ceasefire at first. Unverified reports suggest that the gaps between two sides are narrowing into an alleged consensus for a ceasefire extending a one or two month duration. However, sharp differences remain concerning the future outcome of Israel's ongoing war with Hamas.

Hamas leadership demands a permanent ceasefire and wants to remain in power in Gaza after the war.

However, Israel refuses to commit to a permanent ceasefire. In addition, Jerusalem has vowed to dismantle Hamas’ terror capabilities and remove the Iranian-backed organization from ruling the Gaza Strip.

Mossad Chief David Barnea reportedly offered the top Hamas leaders in Gaza free passage out of Gaza in exchange for all remaining hostages and giving up its power aspirations in the Gaza Strip. If true, the 'free pass' would be relevant for the architects behind the Oct. 7 massacres of more than 1,200 Israeli men, women and children. The leadership includes Hamas Chief in Gaza Yahya Sinwar, his brother Mohammed, who is a senior Hamas official, as well as the top Hamas military commanders Mohammed Deif and his deputy Marwan Issa. Some of these top Hamas terrorists are believed to be hiding in tunnels below the southern Gazan town of Khan Younis, likely surrounded by Israeli hostages, who are being used as human shields, in violation of international law.

Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, believes Sinwar and other top Hamas leaders must take into consideration that Israel will, at some point, try to assassinate them inside or outside Gaza. 

“Whatever the Israelis agree to, Sinwar must know that they’re going to try to kill him,” he added. “Weeks, months years,” Miller assessed. 

Meanwhile, Egyptian officials announced on Tuesday that Hamas leadership in Gaza had rejected an offer for a two-month pause in the fighting. Realizing that their survival depends on a permanent ceasefire, Hamas leaders in Gaza are demanding a permanent end to the war they initiated on Israel on Oct. 7.

Israel is prepared to accept a temporary pause in fighting in order to secure the release of the remaining hostages. However, Jerusalem is not ready to accept a solution that keeps Hamas in power in Gaza with the capabilities to launch a future invasion and attack on Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently reiterated his stance that a total Israeli victory is the only solution for the conflict with Hamas.

“The only option is complete victory,” Netanyahu vowed.