Source tells ToI: Hamas response includes demand that makes it harder for Israel to continue war

A source directly involved in the negotiations tells The Times of Israel that Hamas’s response to US special envoy Steve Witkoff’s proposal includes a demand that makes it more difficult for Israel to resume fighting if talks on a permanent ceasefire are not completed by the end of the 60-day truce.

The source says there were other changes Hamas made to the Witkoff proposal, adding that this would require a more drawn-out negotiation process.

The updated proposal submitted by Hamas envisions the release of the 10 hostages being spread out more throughout the 60-day truce, rather than in two batches on the first and seventh day as the US offer envisioned.

The source says this change is aimed at preventing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from abandoning talks on a permanent ceasefire after the 10 hostages are released or refusing to engage in them altogether as he did during the previous ceasefire in January.