Mossad chief David Barnea is reportedly seeking to leverage the IDF’s recent successes against Hezbollah in the north to pressure Hamas into a hostage deal. According to a security source, Barnea discussed this possibility with the United States, in particular with CIA Director William Burns.
The idea would be to link the two fronts: any Hezbollah interest in a ceasefire with Israel would be conditional on the release of the hostages in Gaza. This proposal is only in the initial stages of discussions.
Barnea, a leading Israeli figure in negotiations for the release of the remaining 101 hostages, is seeking to restart talks that have stagnated since the execution of six hostages by Hamas last August.
Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the US State Department, suggested that Sinwar might refuse to engage in negotiations in hopes of a wider regional war
Barnea’s strategy aims to exploit the IDF’s recent successes against Hezbollah, including the assassination of its leader Hassan Nasrallah, to create new momentum and incentivize them to influence Hamas, particularly its leader Yahya Sinwar, toward an agreement. .
The Forum of Families of Hostages and Disappeared welcomed this initiative, believing that it clarifies Israel’s position: no ceasefire without the release of all hostages, living or dead.
This approach marks a shift from previous efforts that sought to separate the northern and southern fronts. Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the US State Department, suggested that Sinwar might refuse to engage in negotiations in hopes of a wider regional war. However, he stressed the importance of Sinwar returning to the negotiating table in the interests of the Palestinian people.
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