Israeli Negotiator Signals Slim Chances for Immediate Hostage Deal with Hamas

Israel's top negotiator in the indirect talks over a ceasefire and hostage exchange with Hamas has reportedly informed the families of captives that the prospects for an agreement in the near future are minimal. This update comes despite recent attempts to revive discussions, intensifying concerns for the hostages' well-being.

Mossad Director David Barnea, who is leading Israel's negotiating team, indicated that Israel is adopting a wait-and-see approach as Hamas has yet to respond to ceasefire proposals put forward by international mediators, according to a report by Channel 12 news on Sunday.

"We still haven’t gotten any response from the mediators, neither for the Qatari proposal nor the Egyptian one, in any official capacity, so it’s best to wait," Barnea reportedly told the families. "Right now, the chances for a deal are very slim."

Barnea also suggested that Hamas continues to demand a complete end to the war in exchange for the release of hostages, a stance that has stalled progress in negotiations. He has held several meetings with hostages' families in recent days to update them on the situation.

Diplomatic Efforts and Challenges

The intelligence chief traveled to Qatar on October 27 for meetings with CIA Director Bill Burns and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, aiming to advance a hostage release deal. However, no significant progress was reported following these talks.

An Israeli official told The Times of Israel that Jerusalem was exploring the possibility of a limited deal to initiate broader negotiations and gain insight into Hamas's decision-making following the death of the group's leader, Yahya Sinwar. Sinwar was killed by IDF troops last month, a development that Israeli and Western leaders have described as an "opportunity" to make progress on a deal to secure the release of the hostages held in Gaza.

Despite the efforts, officials believe Hamas is unlikely to alter its demands. "The time has come to look reality in the eye," an unnamed senior defense source told Channel 12. "If we want to achieve the goal of returning the hostages, we need to fold up shop in Gaza and worry about [formulating] a position that will guarantee Israel’s security interests going forward."

Hamas's Stance and Family Appeals

On Friday, Hamas reaffirmed its demand for a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, stating that Israel's offers were insufficient. Senior Hamas official Bassem Naem said, "The proposals do not meet the comprehensive needs of the Palestinian people in terms of security, stability, relief, and reconstruction."

Barnea reportedly informed the families that the negotiating team had not been authorized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a deal that would end the war. He also suggested that Israel might reconsider its demand to maintain control over the Philadelphi Corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border, potentially securing the area through alternative means.

Families of the hostages rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday, urging negotiators to pursue a comprehensive deal that ends the war and secures the release of all captives. "There is no time for a multi-stage deal and no use for it," said Ronen Neutra, father of Israeli-American hostage Omer Neutra, who was kidnapped while serving as a tank commander near Gaza.

Current Hostage Situation

It is believed that 97 of the 251 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 34 individuals confirmed dead by the IDF. Hamas is also holding two Israeli civilians who entered the Strip in 2014 and 2015, as well as the bodies of two IDF soldiers killed in 2014.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and other senior officials have pledged to do everything possible to bring the hostages home, with the premier describing the mission as "holy" during a state ceremony last week.

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