Hamas has dropped the number of hostages it is willing to release in the first stage of any deal with Israel from 40 to 20, according to Israel’s Channel 12.
The terrorist organization is also demanding the release of more hardened terrorists and a higher ratio of jailed Palestinian terrorists released per Israeli hostage freed.
Hamas said on Saturday that it reaffirms “our adherence to our demands and the national demands of our people,” with “a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation army from the entire Gaza Strip, the return of the displaced to their areas and places of residence, intensification of the entry of relief and aid and the start of reconstruction.”
While Israel has shown flexibility in the hopes of arriving at a hostage deal, Hamas has impeded an agreement, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Monday.
With reporting by JNS.
Thinking they have won, why would Hamas even think they would have to release the hostages? What if there aren’t any hostages still alive? that makes me think Hamas is stalling and demanding more for the return of nothing.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him,And He will direct your paths.”
The sooner Israel comes together as a nation of one, the sooner the Lord will fight this evil in Israel with a weapon that will totally defeat His and your enemies. The weapon? His will. Even Satan is powerless against it.