Rift among Hamas leaders over ceasefire and hostage agreement!

Tel Aviv (Uttam Hindu News): Talks and discussions are taking place in many places including Paris, Cairo and Doha to stop the war between Hamas and Israel, but differences of opinion have emerged among senior Hamas leaders regarding the ceasefire. Sources in the Israeli Defense Minister’s office told IANS that they have received information from Qatari mediators that differences have emerged between senior Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar over the duration of the ceasefire.

While Sinwar wants a temporary ceasefire of six to eight weeks and the partial release of hostages, Haniyeh wants a permanent end to the war and international support for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. However, Sinwar and Haniyeh have agreed to the release of all Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons. The sources said Haniyeh is backed by senior Hamas leaders Musa Abu Marzouq and Khalil al-Haya, while Sinwar is reportedly backed by Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif.

According to sources, internal differences within Hamas’ top leadership have angered negotiators from Qatar and Egypt. Of the 253 hostages detained by Hamas, 105 were released by the group during a week-long ceasefire from 24 November to 1 December. On the other hand, Israel released 324 Palestinian prisoners during this period. Israeli agencies have confirmed that 29 of the remaining hostages in Hamas custody have died.