"Behind-the-scenes" contacts to resume negotiations between Hamas and Israel

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported today, Thursday, that sources say there are preliminary behind-the-scenes contacts aimed at resuming ceasefire negotiations between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

The Jerusalem Post reported - citing two sources - that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is working behind the scenes to renew negotiations regarding a prisoner exchange deal.

It noted that mediators will try to ensure that the talks proceed at a faster pace than before if negotiations begin.

The Wall Street Journal also reported from Israeli officials that ministers and security officials are secretly urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for committing war crimes in Gaza - to conclude a ceasefire agreement.

For his part, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, "We need to focus now on how to end the war in Gaza and eliminate Hamas."

Rubio conditioned the end of the war in Gaza on the movement's surrender and the release of prisoners, saying, "The war in Gaza could end tomorrow if Hamas surrenders and releases the hostages."

A Hamas delegation led by the movement's leader in Gaza, Khalil Hayya, also discussed today with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Doha the diplomatic communications aimed at stopping the war, including efforts made by Egypt and Qatar and actions taken by Hamas leadership, according to a statement from the movement.

Netanyahu's refusal It is noted that Netanyahu had rejected last Sunday a vote on a partial deal for the release of detainees during a meeting of the security cabinet that witnessed a heated debate, despite reports of pressure he faces to return to discussing the exchange deal.

The Israeli Channel 13 reported, citing sources, that the army expressed its support for an exchange agreement, but Netanyahu stated that there is currently no deal.

On August 18, Hamas agreed to a proposal from mediators regarding a partial deal, but Israel has not yet announced its position on it, despite the terms being almost identical to what it had previously agreed to, according to mediators.

The Israeli opposition and families of prisoners assert that Netanyahu imposes new demands each time that hinder the progress of negotiations, ensuring the continuation of the war to maintain his political future and avoid accountability.

With U.S. support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in 64,231 martyrs and 161,583 injured, most of whom are children and women, along with thousands missing, hundreds of thousands displaced, and famine that has killed 370 Palestinians, including 131 children.