DUBAI, United Arab Emirates. Middle Eastern and U.S. officials believe the extensive devastation in the Gaza Strip caused by a nine-month Israeli offensive has likely led Hamas to soften its demands for a cease-fire agreement.
Over the weekend, Hamas appeared to drop its longstanding demand that Israel promise to end the war as part of any cease-fire deal. This unexpected shift has raised new hopes for progress in internationally brokered negotiations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that military pressure, including Israel’s ongoing two-month offensive in Rafah, “is what has led Hamas to enter negotiations.”
Hamas, an Islamic militant group that seeks Israel’s destruction and took control of Gaza in 2007, is highly secretive. However, recent internal communications seen by The Associated Press reveal that several senior Hamas figures in Gaza have urged the group’s exiled political leadership to accept a cease-fire proposal pitched by U.S. President Joe Biden.
Messages shared by a Middle Eastern official familiar with the negotiations described the heavy losses Hamas has suffered on the battlefield and the dire conditions in Gaza. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted internal pressure within Hamas and a readiness among top militants to reach a deal quickly. Nonetheless, Hamas’ top official in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, remains reluctant. Sinwar has been in hiding since the war erupted last October.
A person familiar with Western intelligence, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said the group’s leadership understands its forces have suffered heavy losses, which has pushed Hamas closer to a cease-fire deal.
Two U.S. officials confirmed awareness of internal divisions within Hamas, attributing the militant group’s softened demands to the destruction in Gaza and pressure from mediators Egypt and Qatar. These officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the Biden administration’s view of the current situation.
Hamas spokesperson Jihad Taha dismissed suggestions of divisions within the group, stating, “The movement’s position is unified and is crystallized through the organizational framework of the leadership.”
The Middle Eastern official provided details from two internal Hamas communications, both written by senior officials inside Gaza to the group’s exiled leadership in Qatar, where Hamas’ supreme leader, Ismail Haniyeh, is based. The communications acknowledged the toll on Hamas fighters and urged the political wing abroad to accept the deal despite Sinwar’s reluctance.
Egypt and Qatar have been working with the United States to broker a cease-fire and end the devastating nine-month war. Talks resumed last week and are scheduled to continue in the coming days. While a deal is not guaranteed, the sides appear closer to an agreement than they have been in months.
Israel launched the war in Gaza after Hamas’ October attack, which killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and led to the abduction of approximately 250 individuals. Israel says Hamas is still holding about 120 hostages, with around a third believed to be dead.
The Israeli air and ground offensive has resulted in over 38,000 deaths in Gaza, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. The offensive has caused widespread devastation and a humanitarian crisis, leaving hundreds of thousands on the brink of famine.
The war in Gaza has drawn international legal scrutiny of Israel’s conduct, including a case at the top U.N. court on charges of genocide and a request for arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Hamas leaders by the International Criminal Court.
Both Hamas and Egyptian officials confirmed that Hamas has dropped its key demand that Israel commit upfront to ending the war. Instead, they agreed to a phased deal starting with a six-week cease-fire, during which Hamas would release older, sick, and female hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Broader negotiations, including discussions on ending the war, would begin during this phase.
Netanyahu has vowed to continue fighting until Israel destroys Hamas’ military and governing capabilities, regardless of hostage releases.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
