Hamas is expected to push for U.S. guarantees as it takes part in Egypt talks over a Gaza ceasefire plan. Senior Middle East correspondent Ariel Oseran explains how these negotiations could influence hostages’ release and the region’s fragile security.

Sharm El-Sheikh

Israel and Iran have agreed a ceasefire after a twelve day conflict. Meanwhile, Israel strikes in Gaza continue with the humanitarian crisis deepening.

Middle East Conflict

During ongoing negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, Hamas has outlined five primary objectives. These include extending the deadline for releasing hostages, obtaining a clear timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and securing assurances from the United States and mediators for a complete end to the conflict. Hamas also aims to hand over weapons to a Palestinian body, though it has denied reports that it intends to disarm, and is pushing for immediate reconstruction efforts in Gaza. Israeli officials have indicated that reconstruction will not begin until all hostages are returned, and there are mixed messages regarding the handover of weapons. The outcome of these linked demands will depend on the stance of American mediators.

Hamas negotiation goals in Egypt talks

And now, for more, senior Middle East correspondent Ariel Osseran and correspondent Robert Swift are here in studio, a constantly developing situation. Ariel, I want to start with you and the goals for Hamas during these negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, starting tomorrow. Yeah, Benita. We'll just note that Hamas has since denied the reports that it intends to hand over its weapons. So this is really indicating where we're heading moving forward. Now, initially, these talks in Sharm el-Sheikh were framed as talks to get the balls rolling, to get over the first phase of releasing the hostages, and only then talking about the other issues. But as you'll see, in the goals set by Hamas, as reported by Saudi Assad, they're trying to broaden the scope of these talks and link all the issues together. So of the five main goals, the first for the Hamas negotiating team is extending the deadline for releasing the hostages. The Hamas delegation will claim that handing over the hostages within 72 hours will not be easy, saying that they've already begun communicating with the operatives who are holding the hostages. But the handover of the deceased hostages, that is going to be more complicated. The next goal is receiving a clear timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces. They're going to demand U.S. assurances, as well as assurances from the mediators. Same with securing a complete and irreversible end to the war. They do not want to see Israel returning to the fighting after it receives the hostages. Now, the fourth main goal of Hamas is that the weapons will be handed over to a Palestinian body. Again, this is a little asterisk here, because Hamas is denying its intention to hand over its weapons. We're seeing mixed messages here. And the fifth goal would be to get—to launch immediate reconstruction efforts. This is something that Hamas wants to see happen, the bulldozers cleaning the rubble, rebuilding the Gaza Strip, so they can show this to the public in Gaza as an achievement. But as far as Israel is concerned, this is not going to happen until the hostages are returned. All in all, this linkage is something that Hamas is going to try and push forward. Israel is going to reject it, and it will be up to the resolve of American mediators if they will allow it. We'll certainly be watching to see how it all unfolds.

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Hamas negotiation goals in Egypt talks

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