It would be followed by the formation of a transitional government for the Gaza Strip and the West Bank made up of various Palestinian factions, including Hamas. Including Hamas in any transitional government would run up against Israel’s overarching war aim of eradicating Hamas, while the release of senior Palestinian prisoners would meet resistance from Israel’s right-wing government. In the second and third phases, Israel and Hamas would negotiate the release of female Israeli soldiers, followed by male Israeli soldiers, in return for large numbers of Palestinian prisoners. Hamas’s leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, is unlikely to accept a deal that would see him relinquish power in Gaza and release Israeli hostages. However, after Hamas is weakened further, especially if Israel can take out all or most of Hamas leaders, we have a genuine starting point for discussion.

Source: New York Times December 25, 2023 21:54 UTC