Hamas claims to mediators its ready to discuss partial deal, sources tell 'Post' - Amichai Stein

 

by Amichai Stein

“We will agree to a deal on the condition that all the hostages are released in a single phase and in accordance with our terms for ending the war," the PMO said.

 

Illustrative image of Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

(photo credit: Getty images/MAHMUD HAMS/AFP, Adam Smigielski)

 

Hamas has sent a message to the mediators, expressing readiness to discuss a partial agreement, two sources with knowledge told The Jerusalem Post on Saturday. 

The mediators have made it clear to Hamas that Israel is serious about its intent to capture Gaza City, urging them to agree to specific terms for a deal.

Israel will only agree to a deal that releases all hostages in a single phase and on its terms for ending the war, the Prime Minister's Office said that evening in a statement.

The terms include "disarming Hamas; demilitarizing the Strip; Israeli security control over the Strip; and establishing a governing authority that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority and will live in peace with Israel,” according to the statement.

This is the first time that the Prime Minister's Office has called for a comprehensive deal free of ambiguity. 

Israelis demonstrate in Tel Aviv for an immediate hostage deal, August 16, 2025. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)

Two sources familiar with the negotiation details indicated that a partial deal could be formulated in a short timeframe; however, they spoke with a note of caution, as similar situations have occurred multiple times before. 

Last week, following his two press conferences, Netanyahu gave the Post an ambiguous "yes and no" response and declined to provide a clear answer on whether he would reject a partial deal if it were on the table.

Only a comprehensive deal is under consideration 

Meanwhile, various sources are conveying that "only a comprehensive deal for the release of all hostages is under consideration."

Nevertheless, it appears that the prime minister is not entirely closing the door on a partial agreement.

On Thursday, Mossad director David Barnea told Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Doha, Qatar, that a partial deal is off the table, the Post previously reported, citing an Israeli official. 

Qatar and Egypt have been https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-863679 for a deal that would include the release of all hostages and an end to the war, as of the end of last week.

Amichai Stein

Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-864382

Follow Middle East and Terrorism on Twitter