Israel's chief negotiator for hostages and missing persons, Gal Hirsch, delivered a stark warning at the MEAD Conference in Washington, D.C., stating that Hamas continues to kill hostages in Gaza even as international mediation efforts persist.
"“Hamas is not really negotiating. There is a facade of negotiations. We thought there was progress but unfortunately now there isn’t. Hamas wants to exhaust us. From time to time, Sinwar sends instructions and then dozens of Hamas spokesmen say what they want and drive the families crazy. They are just trying to bide their time,” Hirsch said.
He added, “Since December, Hamas is not really in the picture. In March they came for a few days to negotiations in Doha and then disappeared, ... While our negotiating team is in Doha, Hamas continues to kill hostages in Gaza. The military pressure will not stop," as reported by Voz is Neias.
He emphasized a direct correlation between international pressure on Israel and Hamas' willingness to negotiate, suggesting that when Israel faces pressure from allies and other nations, Hamas feels less inclined to engage in talks.
Hirsch refuted claims that Israel is obstructing a deal, stating, "We have never canceled any deal that was on the table. It simply hasn't happened." He pointed out that Hamas' primary demand—to halt the ongoing conflict—is not feasible until all hostages are returned, Gaza is demilitarized, and its leadership is decentralized.
"Hamas is holding on to its only remaining asset—101 hostages," Hirsch explained. He expressed belief that Gaza could be rebuilt if the war ended, but maintained that this outcome depends on meeting Israel's conditions.
Despite the challenges, Hirsch affirmed his commitment to securing the hostages' release. "I am pursuing every possible avenue to achieve that goal," he said, noting that while awaiting a final proposal from mediators and the United States, his team is working on alternative plans.
The MEAD Conference is a global apolitical event held for the first time in Washington, D.C. It is a platform for strategic dialogue between the Middle East and the United States. It brings together senior leaders from the U.S., Israel, and moderate Arab countries, along with experts in various fields, to discuss the region's evolving dynamics.
As negotiations continue, the situation remains tense, with Hamas adding even more demands, even as Israel shows continued flexibility.
* JPost and Voz is Neias contributed to this article.