Israeli officials said on Tuesday that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was on the run, fearing capture by Israeli troops.
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"He is running from tunnel to tunnel, like a crazed rat," they said. "He is terrified and constantly on the move. The only thing that could lead to a deal is his genuine fear of being eliminated any moment, and only a deal could save him."
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Benjamin Netanyahu, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Yahya Sinwar
(Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/ Reuters. Dana Kopel)
"If there is any chance for a deal it would come from military pressure, with the IDF breathing down Sinwar's neck. He has no other reason. He doesn't need fuel, medicine or food. He knows he and his leadership could be eliminated any minute."
Hamas delivered its response earlier to the Qatari and Egyptian mediators, after the proposal agreed on last month, by the U.S., Israel, Qatar, Egypt and France, in a meeting in Paris. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that Hamas's reply was conveyed to Israel by the Qatari mediator. "Its details are being thoroughly evaluated by the officials involved in the negotiations."
But officials said that the terms Hamas demanded were unacceptable and tantamount to a rejection of the proposal. "There are good parts and better parts. In any case, this is just the start of the negotiations," they said.
U.S. President Joe Biden said there had been "some movement" on a deal but also described the Hamas response as "a bit over the top" but his secretary of state before leaving for Israel from Qatar expressed some optimism. On Wednesday Secretary Blinken will meet with Israeli leaders and will try to leave the door open to a deal, which the Biden administration seeks to see completed at all costs.
The timing of Blinken's visit is critical. Israel is at a crossroads and must decide whether to accept the hostage deal, and the IDF is nearing its operations in Khan Younis and must decide whether to begin an offensive in Rafah. Blinken will meet a cabinet that is divided and plagued with conflicts and a military that is being criticized by ministers and even the prime ministers.
The secretary will arrive with a long list of American demands, requests and comments. The U.S. is pressuring Israel to reach a decision on the day after the war, would like to see the hostage deal move forward and demands the IDF take more care to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza. Without a united Israeli front, Blinken may be facing a tough visit.