Israel’s chief negotiator for hostages and missing persons warned during the MEAD Conference in Washington that Hamas is murdering hostages in Gaza even as international mediation efforts continue.
“There is a direct link between international pressure on Israel and Hamas’ willingness to negotiate,” Gal Hirsch, Israel’s chief negotiator for hostages and missing persons, said in an interview on the main stage of the MEAD Conference, held in Washington, DC. “While our negotiating team is in Doha, Hamas continues to kill hostages in Gaza. The military pressure will not stop.”
Hirsch, speaking with Israel Hayom political commentator Ariel Kahana, discussed the complex dynamics of negotiations with Hamas. He expressed frustration with what he described as a false narrative that Israel is obstructing a deal. “Unfortunately, many have embraced the narrative pushed by Hamas — that we are the ones blocking the deal. This is false. We have never canceled any deal that was on the table. It simply hasn’t happened,” Hirsch said.
Hirsch emphasized that Hamas’ key demand, to halt the ongoing conflict, is not a viable option until all hostages are returned, Gaza is demilitarized, and its leadership is decentralized. “Hamas is holding on to its only remaining asset — 101 hostages,” Hirsch stated. “The war could end tomorrow, and I believe Gaza could be rebuilt, and I’m sure those concerned about Gaza’s situation would support this.”
Despite the challenges, Hirsch remains committed to securing the hostages‘ release. “I believe we need to act to free all the hostages, and I am pursuing every possible avenue to achieve that goal. We are waiting for the final proposal from the mediators and the United States. At the same time, our teams are working on alternative plans B, C, and D.”
Hirsch also noted that the war will not end under pressure. “There is a direct correlation between the international pressure on Israel and Hamas’ desire to negotiate. When Israel is under pressure from its allies and other nations, Hamas feels it has achieved much without negotiating and recognizes the hostages as its most valuable asset right now.”
Details of the conference
The MEAD Conference is a global, apolitical event held for the first time this year in Washington, DC. It serves as a platform for strategic dialogue between the Middle East and the United States. Conference presidents Tom Nides, David Friedman, Dennis Ross, and Elliott Abrams are hosting a series of in-depth geopolitical discussions addressing the region’s evolving dynamics. Senior leaders from the US, Israel, and moderate Arab countries, along with experts in security, economics, diplomacy, and academia, are participating in these discussions.
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