Hamas shows flexibility in hostage talks, awaiting outcome of US, Egypt, Qatar efforts

Hamas has expressed flexibility in its ongoing negotiations with mediators and is awaiting the outcome of efforts from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States in talks with Israel.

A source familiar with the details of the discussions said that there is potential for an agreement on the release of additional hostages, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Following Israeli criticism of US Special Envoy Adam Boehler’s recent talks with senior Hamas officials, an Israeli source clarified that "The coordination between us and the Americans on the issue of the hostages' release is complete coordination."

Boehler had given interviews to several media outlets, to explain his meetings with Hamas officials. In an interview, Boehler stated, "Our team's opinion is that it's very hard to understand the other side without sitting across from them," and did not rule out future meetings with senior Hamas officials if it could help facilitate the release of hostages.

The Israeli government, however, has expressed concern about Boehler's actions. During a Security Cabinet meeting on March 9, ministers criticized the talks, with one source familiar with the details stating, "The talks he held are harmful to the negotiations." Despite the "minor crisis," the source added that both Israel and the US are fully coordinated regarding the discussions and efforts are ongoing to secure the release of more hostages.

An Israeli delegation is scheduled to arrive in Qatar to continue discussions on the hostage release deal. The delegation, which will include "M" from the Shin Bet, Coordinator for Hostages and Missing Persons Gal Hirsch, foreign policy advisor Ophir Falk, and officials from the IDF and Mossad, will be joined by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who is expected to join the talks on either March 9 evening or March 12.

According to both an Israeli source and a diplomatic source familiar with the negotiations, there is cautious optimism that an agreement on the release of additional hostages may be reached. However, they noted that "it will take time." Israel is pushing for discussions to be based on Witkoff's proposed plan, which calls for the release of half of the living hostages and half of the deceased hostages on the first day of a ceasefire, which will last 42 days, with the second half to be released on the final day.

By Vafa Guliyeva