Israel considering Hamas demand not to assassinate its senior officials - report

• Published date: 23 March 2024
• Author: JERUSALEM POST STAFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously stated in November that he had told the Mossad "to act against the heads of Hamas wherever they are."

Israel would agree to this in exchange for an agreement that would include the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the release of all the hostages, according to the Kan report.

Hamas is simultaneously demanding the withdrawal of IDF forces from Gaza.

The proposal is backed by the United States as part of the next phase of a hostage deal in which Hamas would release 40 hostages in exchange for a six-week ceasefire.

An Israeli senior official told Kan that an offer is being considered, "including a commitment not to harm the exiled senior officials."

Deals on the table

During the hostage negotiations, Hamas officials said they would only release the remaining hostages in Gaza as part of a ceasefire. Netanyahu has said that he will not accept any deal that would leave Hamas in control of Gaza.

One recent framework for a proposed deal was a phased release of the remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, with the goal of a ceasefire, a senior Western diplomat and a regional...