Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar is delaying the approval of a second hostage deal, demanding greater concessions from Israel, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing senior sources familiar with the discussions.
According to the report, Ismail Haniyeh, the terrorist organization's leader abroad, disagrees with Sinwar's stance and is ready to accept a six-week truce to alleviate the suffering of Gaza residents and to negotiate a permanent cease-fire and an IDF withdrawal from Gaza.
A senior Israeli official refuted reports on disagreements between Sinwar and Haniyeh. "There's no division," he emphasized. "Hamas leaders both in and outside Gaza have decided to amplify the suffering of the Palestinian people. They're aware that a hostage deal would lead to a cease-fire and a significant influx of humanitarian aid - food, medicine and supplies that would greatly improve conditions in Gaza - and they don't want this. They prefer to echo the suffering of the Palestinian people." (Itamar Eichner)