A senior Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post that the disagreements in the ongoing indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas over a hostage release arrangement remain “significant.”
According to the report, Hamas has revised its previous position and is now signaling readiness to release nine hostages instead of just one, marking a notable shift in its approach.
Israeli officials credit the shift to the pressure exerted by the IDF’s military campaign, which has resulted in Israeli forces taking control of roughly 30 to 40 percent of Gaza.
Speaking with The Post, an Israeli source summed up the current state of the negotiations: “Despite some progress, it is currently very difficult to move forward with a deal.
“Hamas is expected to respond again in the coming days, but if they remain firm on the issue of guarantees, it’s hard to see the agreement happening.”
The major stumbling block in the talks is Hamas’s demand for firm international assurances that the war will be brought to a close as part of any agreement.
The terror group is requesting commitments from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar that Israel will agree to end the fighting. Israel has so far refused to provide such assurances.
Al Jazeera reported Monday that Egypt told Hamas an end to the war would require the group’s disarmament—an idea that a senior Hamas figure rejected outright. That report also indicated that the proposed terms include a 45-day pause in hostilities.
Earlier that day, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu held a phone call with the family of hostage Eitan Mor, during which he said that Israel is pushing for the release of 10 hostages in any potential deal.

{Matzav.com Israel}