Hamas Yields on Key Israeli Demands, Hostage Deal Hopes Renewed

Latest Developments

• Terror Organization No Longer Demands Israeli Military Withdrawal from Gaza: Hamas has reportedly told mediators that it would no longer demand a full IDF withdrawal from Gaza during a proposed pause in fighting that would see up to 30 Israeli hostages released. The plan, put forward by Egypt and backed by the United States, aims to capitalize on the relative successes of the November 27 ceasefire implemented between Israel and Hezbollah and would use the Lebanon deal as a model, beginning with a 60-day cessation in hostilities.

• Israel Denies Reports That It Received List of Hostages To Be Freed: The Wall Street Journal added in its report that Hamas had given Israel a list of hostages to be released in the proposed agreement, though Israel called these reports “not correct” in a statement addressed to the families of the remaining captives. Israel said that it continues “to take all measures to secure the return of the hostages and take great care to keep this information secured,” urging relatives “to rely only on information coming from authorized sources.”

• Israeli Officials, Islamic Jihad Chief Visit Cairo; Mossad Head in Doha, Deal Gains Momentum: IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar discussed advancements in negotiations for a hostage release during a December 10 visit to Cairo. In tandem, Mossad director David Barnea met in Doha with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss efforts to “advance a hostage deal.” Separately, the head of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Ziad al-Nakhala, reportedly traveled to Cairo on December 11 to discuss “developments related to talks” on the newest hostage proposal.

FDD Expert Response

“Hamas conceding that it is willing to allow Israel to keep troops in Gaza after the fighting is over is a positive sign toward a ceasefire deal. Moreover, reports that Palestinian Islamic Jihad chief Ziad al-Nakhala went to Cairo to discuss the ceasefire adds to the optimism that Israel and Palestinian terrorist groups will succeed in working out a deal. Despite the progress, a crucial question remains: Who will rule the Gaza Strip after the fighting?” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“It is important Hamas be pressured into a hostage deal. Reports that Hamas may be becoming more flexible are welcome, but in the past, the terrorist organization has used these tactics to exploit the media and generate psychological pressure on the families of the hostages.” — Seth J. Frantzman, Adjunct Fellow

“Tehran’s ability to support its terrorist patron Hamas has weakened to the point of collapse due to the IDF’s concerted, year-long military campaign against the Islamic Republic and its regional proxies. With Hezbollah degraded, the Houthi rebels in Yemen and Iraqi militias widely ineffective, and Iran’s ballistic missile program significantly damaged, Hamas is now left with few remaining options for survival other than compromise and concession.” — Aaron Goren, Research Analyst and Editor