US officials said to cast withdrawal of negotiators from Doha as power play against Hamas

US officials told hostage families in a meeting in Washington Thursday night that the US and Israel recalled their negotiators from Doha to “make a muscle” after Hamas hardened its position in truce-hostage talks, Channel 12 reports.

The comment appears to contradict a joint statement by Egypt and Qatar earlier today that said talks were making progress and negotiators were recalled merely “to hold consultations before resuming dialogue.”

Reporting in Hebrew on the English-language conversation, Channel 12 quotes the unidentified officials as saying: “The decision to recall the delegations is part of the negotiations. We’re very close to a deal, but in the face of Hamas’s additional demands, we have to make a muscle back. Israel does not accept the demand about prisoners’ release, but obviously Hamas’s demand is an opening stance for the sake of the negotiations.”

The terror group is said to be upping the number of prisoners it demands Israel will release in exchange for the 50 remaining hostages.

Hostage families reportedly asked the officials if the deal on the table is still a partial deal, adding: “Why not promote a comprehensive deal?”

The officials responded that US President Donald Trump “is committed to bringing back all the hostages and ending the war,” according to Channel 12.

The network also reports that hostage families in Washington are meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.