Another reversal: Hamas announces it won’t take part in hostage deal summit later this week

The terror organization Hamas announced on Sunday that it would not take part in the negotiations for the hostage release deal with Israel, dashing hopes raised by Israeli and U.S. officials that the Thursday summit would be the final step toward an agreement.

Just hours before Hamas’ dramatic announcement, U.S. media reported that newly-elected Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was determined to reach a deal, while also suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reticent.

On Sunday evening, Hamas released a statement saying, “The movement calls on the mediators to present a plan to implement what was agreed upon by the movement on July 2, 2024, based on U.S. President Joe Biden’s vision and the UN Security Council Resolution.”

“Going to more rounds of talks or new proposals will only provide cover for the aggression of the occupation and give it time to win,” the terror group stated.

Later, senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan explained the decision: “There are ideas that the mediators presented and we accepted them and we are ready to implement them immediately. It is not acceptable to give the enemy more time.”

“Our position is clear, and we are not waiting for a discussion on new outlines and titles,” Hamdan told the Lebanese news outlet Al-Manar, which is affiliated with Hezbollah terrorist organization.

“There is an outline that we agreed to, and we are waiting for the announcement of implementation mechanisms that include stopping the war and Israel’s withdrawal, providing aid, and starting rehabilitation,” said Hamdan.

“The Israelis want to escape from the obligation to cease fire, and there is a wrong assessment among Israelis that the resistance is in a weak position. The reality on the ground confirms that it is fighting like it was during the first days.”

Last Thursday, leaders from the United States, Egypt and Qatar had jointly urged Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization to meet and finalize a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Netanyahu agreed Israel would participate in a summit on Aug. 15 “to finalize the details and implement the framework agreement.”

To prepare for the summit, which Israeli officials described as “a now-or-never” moment, a U.S. delegation is expected to visit the region this week, including CIA Director Bill Burns, as well as Biden’s top Middle East advisor, Brett McGurk, and possibly U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken.

The dramatic announcement by Hamas is viewed as a negotiating strategy in Israel, coinciding with reports that anticipated attacks by Iran and Hezbollah are just days away.

“In Israel, it is believed that the announcement by Hamas is part of an effort to give a false impression,” wrote Itamar Eichner, diplomatic correspondent for the Israeli daily newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth.

“Sinwar wants to show that he stands by Hezbollah and Iran, and not to be perceived as talking to Israel during the attack. It’s a transparent move - but the big question is still what will happen on Thursday, and whether Hamas will show up for the summit in the end,” he wrote.