Yedioth Ahronoth: Sinwar isn’t interested in concluding a deal with Israel at this stage

The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said, citing informed sources, that the prisoner exchange talks between Israel and Hamas have not achieved progress yet, and that Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, isn’t interested in a deal currently.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed Biden during a phone call on Saturday evening that Israel expects US pressure on the Qatari mediators to complete the deal, but this axis hasn’t achieved any results so far.

Yedioth Ahronoth explains that in an attempt to create an incentive for Hamas, Israel appears to have sent the Qataris an offer that included concessions, including preparation for a long truce, for one to two weeks, in exchange for the release of women, children, the elderly, and the sick, but according to statements by Hamas spokesmen, the movement insists on Complete cessation of hostilities for the time being.

Israel is now awaiting a response from Hamas to the renewed proposal.

Sources familiar with the matter say that within two days we may reach the conclusion that we have reached a dead end and that there is no agreement, or that major negotiations (all for all) will begin after that.

Yedioth Ahronoth confirms that the talks are continuing, but Israel hasn’t received any indications of progress.

Israeli security sources say that the head of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, has no interest in the deal, and that Israeli officials don’t feel that the sword is close to his neck.

Hamas insists on conditions for completing the exchange agreement, which are first: above all:

• The cessation of hostilities (complete ceasefire) and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
• Opening the crossings and bringing aid into all areas of the Gaza Strip.
• Conducting indirect negotiations regarding the prisoners, in accordance with For the principle of (all for all).
• Holding internal Palestinian talks under Arab sponsorship, in order to form a Palestinian national unity government.

Yedioth Ahronoth reports confirming that Hamas in Gaza is able to withstand the Israeli attack, and that it continues to inflict heavy losses on the Israeli army on a daily basis.

On Saturday, Abu Obaida, spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, announced the loss of contact with 5 prisoners, including 3 who appeared in the “Don’t Let Us Grow Old” video, suggesting that they were likely killed in an Israeli bombing.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced, Saturday, that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli war on the Strip, which has been ongoing since October 7, has risen to 20,258 people.

According to the Washington Post, the level of destruction that befell the Gaza Strip as a result of the Israeli war is unparalleled in any war that broke out during the 21st century.