The Biden administration is reportedly reassessing its approach to ceasefire-hostage negotiations after Hamas executed six hostages, according to US officials cited by Axios on September 5.
Officials indicated that the administration may shift its strategy, focusing on pressuring Hamas and introducing accountability measures rather than pushing Israel to agree to a ceasefire-hostage deal that could provide additional concessions to the group, according to an Axios report.
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Hamas’ demands for an increased number of Palestinian prisoners to be released as part of any deal have caused US officials to lose confidence in Hamas’ willingness to reach an agreement.
Additionally, concerns have risen that if the US pressures Israel to withdraw its forces from the Philadelphi Corridor, as Hamas has demanded, the group could reject other parts of the proposal.
Hamas has leveraged the execution of the six hostages in a series of information operations, releasing videos aimed at weakening Israeli resolve and pushing for a ceasefire on terms favorable to Hamas. These videos, featuring scripted statements by hostages under duress, criticize the Israeli government’s failure to secure their release and urge Israeli civilians to demand a ceasefire.
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Key sticking points in the negotiations remain unresolved, particularly concerning the release of hostages and prisoners, and the presence of Israeli forces along the Philadelphi Corridor.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will maintain at least a limited presence along the corridor, citing concerns that full withdrawal would allow Hamas to rebuild its military infrastructure, including smuggling tunnels used for weapons.
International mediators, including the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, are reportedly reviewing proposals in an effort to narrow the gap between Israeli and Hamas demands. However, Netanyahu clarified in a TV statement on September 5 that “there is not a deal in the making” at this time.
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