U.S. Officials Admit That Hamas May Reject Any Deal

Latest Developments

The Biden administration is rethinking its approach to hostage negotiations following the murder of Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin in Hamas captivity, Axios reported on September 4. “We still think the deal is the only way to save the lives of the hostages and stop the war,” one U.S. official said. “But the executions not only increased our sense of urgency but also called into question Hamas’ willingness to do a deal of any kind.” Now, the administration is contemplating “applying more pressure and accountability measures on Hamas” rather than focusing on exacting concessions from Israeli negotiators, Axios said.

Expert Analysis

“The goal of the Iranian axis is to terrorize, delegitimize, and divide Israeli society. The pressure being applied to Jerusalem — both internationally and domestically — emboldens Hamas and weakens Israel’s hand at the negotiating table.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

“It took 11 months for the White House to realize what was obvious: Pressuring Israel into more and more concessions gives Hamas hope for victory and makes a hostage deal less likely. The question now is whether the administration is willing to fully pivot to maximum support for Israel and maximum pressure on Hamas and all its sponsors and enablers.” – Richard Goldberg, FDD Senior Advisor

Unilateral American Hostage Deal Mooted

Hamas continues to hold seven American citizens hostage in Gaza, four of whom Washington believes remain alive. On September 1, relatives of the American hostages reportedly pressed White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to consider clinching a unilateral deal to secure their loved ones’ release. The Biden administration is apparently willing to consider “every option” — and has even compiled a list of individuals that the United States could release in exchange for the American hostages. However, the administration understands that a deal without Israel is likely not possible given Hamas’s demands. “Hamas wants two things that only Israel can deliver: a cease-fire and nearly 1,000 Palestinian prisoners currently in Israeli jails. Every other proposal has gone nowhere because that is what Hamas demands for the hostages,” one U.S. official explained.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son remains captive in Gaza, denied claims that a unilateral deal is on the table. He told Israeli media that he is “in continuous contact with the other American families and all levels of the U.S. government” and that “the report that the American families are demanding a separate US-Hamas [deal] is not correct.”

Hamas Executes Six Hostages

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on September 1 that the bodies of six murdered Israelis were discovered in a tunnel below Rafah. The IDF found the deceased hostages approximately one kilometer away from the location where the IDF rescued Israeli hostage Farhan al-Qadi alive earlier in the week. According to the IDF, the six hostages were executed by Gaza terrorists shortly before the IDF reached them. The slain hostages are Israeli-American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, and Israeli citizens Carmel Gat, 40, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Alexander Lubnov, 32, Almog Sarusi, 27, and Ori Danino, 25.

“After Brutal Executions, Will IDF Operations to Rescue Hostages Continue?” by Enia Krivine

“Israel, Egypt Discuss Philadelphi Deployment,” FDD Flash Brief

“Blinken Departs Middle East Without Ceasefire Deal,” FDD Flash Brief

“Ceasefire sticking points indicate Hamas’s plans to return to power,” by Seth J. Frantzman