Hamas source: Releasing US nationals possible only within broader agreement, Israel’s willingness to resume negotiations positive sign

Mediators have given Hamas positive indications that negotiations with Israel on a second phase of the ceasefire deal could go ahead, a Hamas source told Mada Masr on Tuesday. 

The source said that the new flexibility in Tel Aviv’s stance in talks comes in the wake of direct communications between the United States and Hamas in which the group said it would not release the Israeli-American prisoners it holds without a full ceasefire agreement. The talks, the source considered, may have applied pressure on Israel.

Negotiations were due to start weeks ago to design the second phase of the deal between Hamas and Israel that began in January. Instead, Israel delayed the meetings, pushing for Hamas to release all the prisoners it still holds in an extended version of the deal’s first phase, which came to an end 10 days ago. Hamas refused at the time and still holds this position, the source said.

Israel has now informed mediators, however, that it is reconsidering its refusal to participate in the second phase of negotiations, the source said — something it had rejected until just days ago — and also extended its delegation’s visit to Doha. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this week that Israel had sent a delegation to Doha for talks on the second phase of negotiations.

The ceasefire deal Israel and Hamas signed in January  laid out terms for a partial exchange of prisoners over 42 days, while Israel was to gradually withdraw its forces from Gaza, with a full withdrawal by the 50th day — something that has yet to materialize, the source added.

Hamas is now awaiting the outcome of discussions taking place in Doha on Tuesday and Wednesday to see whether Israel will respond to pressure to advance negotiations on to phase two, the source added.

Israel, which previously delayed sending its delegation to Doha, was pressured to show greater flexibility toward the second round of talks by the meetings Hamas held with Adam Boehler, US President Donald Trump’s envoy for hostages, the source noted, adding that it is possible Washington also pushed Israel to accelerate progress toward a full agreement.

While the Boehler meeting did not yield concrete results, it was useful, the source said, adding that Hamas is open to further meetings as it recognizes the influence Washington wields over Israel.

Hamas has held several meetings with mediators following the end of phase one, and in each it has rejected partial solutions, including a proposal from Boehler, the source said, adding that the group’s stance remains that talks must lead to negotiations on a full agreement. 

The source added that Hamas does not oppose the release of Israeli prisoners who hold US citizenship, but only within the framework of a comprehensive agreement.

One American-Israeli national still held in the strip is thought to be alive, while another four Americans were declared dead in captivity.

Israel is also aware that the negotiations are the only way it will secure the release of its captives and that threats of renewed fighting will not bring about results — something that the US has also come to realize, according to the source.

Around 59 prisoners in total, some of whom are believed to be dead, are also still being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Continued threats and Israel’s decision to cut electricity to Gaza’s water treatment plant are merely muscle-flexing and a display of power aimed at its domestic audience, the source said. 

While Hamas has fully adhered to the first phase of the agreement, Israel has been the party violating it, the source continued, adding that it continues to do so both by targeting civilians on the ground and obstructing humanitarian aid trucks entering Gaza.

Egyptian and Qatari mediators are still working to ensure the agreement’s full implementation. According to the source, Hamas has demonstrated significant flexibility on several Israeli demands, including relinquishing its political and military governance of Gaza. 

Hamas announced its agreement last week to Egypt’s proposal for Gaza’s reconstruction, a plan that would see over $50 billion leveraged over a five year period to rebuild the strip, with a special committee governing the area for an initial six-month period before handing power over to the Palestinian Authority. 

Israel has also insisted that Hamas relinquish its weapons — an eventuality that Egypt’s plan did not address.