Hamas Backs Down on Key Demand in US-Brokered Ceasefire Deal With Israel

Hamas’ latest version of the Hokey Pokey is difficult to understand. Terrorists who committed the terror attack against Israel on Oct. 7, have not shown themselves to be trustworthy.

According to AP:

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza (AP) — Hamas has given its initial approval of a U.S.-backed proposal for a phased cease-fire deal in Gaza, dropping a key demand that Israel commit up front to a complete end to the war, a Hamas official and an Egyptian official said Saturday.

Both sides have warned that an agreement is not guaranteed.

Anonymous officials representing Hamas Egypt and other parties to the deal have said that this is how it would look:

According to two officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing discussions, Washington’s phasing agreement will begin with a “complete” six-week cease-fire during which hundreds of older, female, or sicker Palestinian prisoners will be exchanged.

A senior Hamas official, who spoke to The Associated Press about the negotiations under condition of anonymity, said that female soldiers would be among those released during the initial phase.

A second phase is expected to be negotiated between Israel, Hamas, and the negotiators. Israel has teased that it would be interested in the release of male hosts. It’s not surprising to learn that the release of Hamas terrorists will also be linked to this.

Once the teams have gotten over the hump, the third phase begins.

Third Phase: Return of remaining hostages and corpses, as well the start of an extensive reconstruction program lasting years.

The AP published this report (linked above), even though there were no comments made by either the White House or Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel’s Prime Minister confirmed Friday that Mossad, the chief spy agency of Israel, had paid a brief visit to Qatar. Qatar is an important mediator. His office has stated that “gaps” still exist between the parties.

We’ll keep you updated on any new developments. This is likely to occur later next week, as we get closer to the NATO summit.