Official in negotiating team: Hamas ‘delusional’ if it thinks war will end without hostage release

A member of Israel’s hostage negotiating team emphasizes there will not be a cessation of fighting in Gaza without the release of hostages, a day after Hamas said it would only negotiate with Israel if it ended its operations in the Strip first.

The unnamed official tells the Ynet news site that the terror group’s stance is “delusional.”

“It won’t happen. Israel is fighting in Gaza, it will continue to fight in Gaza with all its strength, and if they want a truce for the benefit of Gaza’s residents it must only be through negotiating the release of hostages,” the official says.

The official says while Israel is determined to reach a deal, it is “clear to everyone that [Gaza’s Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar is trying to force a ceasefire, and it won’t happen.”