Hamas leaders reportedly at odds over proposed hostage release deal

Internal divisions among Hamas leaders are preventing the Palestinian terror group from backing a proposed hostage release deal that would include a pause to the fighting in the Gaza Strip, the Wall Street Journal reports.

According to the report, the prevailing dynamic within Hamas has flipped, with the terrorist organization’s chief in Gaza Yahya Sinwar backing a temporary truce while its leaders outside of the Strip are pushing for further Israeli concessions.

Unnamed officials familiar with the hostage negotiations tell the newspaper that Sinwar wants a six-week halt to the war so Hamas operatives can regroup and more aid can enter Gaza. Politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh, however, is pushing for a permanent ceasefire with international guarantees and a plan for rebuilding the enclave.