Hamas has not formally participated in the ongoing talks, and many believe Mr. Sinwar’s priority is to continue the Gaza war in order to provoke a regional conflict, the logic being that a conflict would put enormous pressure on Israel, which would force the prime minister to make greater concessions to end the conflict.
The risk of a wider escalation amid threats from Iran and Hezbollah is one reason Washington is pushing for negotiations. With three months until the U.S. presidential election, President Biden’s administration believes a ceasefire in Gaza would help calm the region.
Political analyst Dana Weiss said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galland agreed that the conflict would escalate unless Israel took the path of a temporary ceasefire.
“It's the exact opposite for the prime minister,” she said. “He says, no, if we give in to Sinwar now, Hezbollah and Iran will know that we are weak. We have to end the work with Hamas to prevent war.”
But she says Mr Netanyahu also has domestic political incentives to delay negotiations, including the fact that his approval ratings are rising again in the polls after months of dismal performances.
