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Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-830152
Hamas Refusing Hostage Deal with Israel
(Jerusalem Post) Yonah Jeremy Bob - Hamas's general refusal to cut a deal with Israel is what is holding back a return of Israeli hostages and not Jerusalem's refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, to withdraw from a Gaza security perimeter, or lack of agreement on "the day after" arrangements, said a senior Israeli defense official on Thursday. The defense official was adamant that Israel will hold onto a security perimeter in Gaza for an extended period even after any ceasefire. The official said Hamas has continued to fight with Israel over other issues, such as how many and which Palestinian security prisoners would be released in exchange for Israeli hostages. The source said the current government strategy is to split Hamas from controlling food and other humanitarian aid by introducing private U.S. contractors into Gaza to transport the supplies. These contractors would be armed and would be charged with protecting themselves, as some have done in Iraq and Afghanistan. The source emphasized that Israel would make sure not to take legal or financial responsibility for Gaza. The official was optimistic that ongoing pressure on Hamas, including in northern Gaza, was starting to bring more flexibility from the group.