Israel was taken by surprise by Hamas’ unexpected flexibility during negotiations for a hostage deal and a ceasefire in Gaza, according to a Hamas source cited Saturday by the Saudi media Asharq. “We are close to announcing an agreement and an exchange of prisoners,” said a source claiming to be familiar with the negotiations, “but it depends on the expected response from Israel. If no new Israeli conditions are introduced, the agreement will be ready to be announced by the mediators” – referring to Egypt, Qatar and the United States.
According to the source, Hamas showed “significant flexibility” during the talks, which surprised Israeli negotiators. The movement notably agreed to submit a list of living prisoners in the first phase and to add 11 prisoners at the request of Israel during the last round of discussions. Nor would Hamas have objected to the continued presence of Israeli forces in the Philadelphia Corridor, to the closure of the Rafah crossing, or to the positioning of Israeli forces on the Netzarim axis, which separates northern Gaza from south.
These concessions, however, would be conditional on guarantees allowing the return of displaced residents via an electronic checkpoint equipped with cameras at the western Martyrs junction (Al-Rashid road) during the initial phase, which is expected to last six to eight weeks.
The source stressed that Hamas is insisting on obtaining guarantees from international mediators to ensure the full implementation of the agreement, leading to a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal. “By Sunday evening it should be clear whether a deal in Gaza will be reached or whether Israel will return to impose new conditions, returning the negotiations to square one,” the sources said.
Related News :