PM’s office: Hamas demanding ‘unacceptable’ hostage deal clause barring IDF from resuming fighting

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says Hamas is continuing to insist in the hostage talks that a clause be included barring Israel from resuming fighting after phase one of the deal.

Israel sought to maintain a clause in its previous proposal that was written vaguely enough so as to allow it to resume fighting if it deems that Hamas is not abiding by the terms of the agreement.

Already last month, two officials familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel that the primary issue complicating negotiations is that Hamas is demanding an Israeli guarantee up front that it will agree to a permanent ceasefire.

“Hamas continues to insist on a principle clause in the outline that would prevent Israel from resuming fighting after phase one of the deal — something that is unacceptable to Israel,” says a statement attributed to a senior Israeli security official that Netanyahu’s office sent to some Israeli military correspondents.

The statement adds that there are additional gaps that still have to be closed but that Israel will continue applying military and diplomatic pressure on Hamas in order to secure the release of all remaining 120 hostages.