(Posted from the US before Shabbat)
This morning (Friday), Bild exclusively revealed a Hamas document outlining the terror organization’s strategy in negotiations with Israel through intermediary countries. The document, drafted in the spring of 2024, was found on a computer seized by IDF forces, believed to belong to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The document, disclosed for the first time, exposes how Hamas leaders deceive the international community and torment the families of Israeli hostages, all in a manipulative attempt to achieve one goal: rebuilding Hamas’s military capabilities and securing its continued rule over the Gaza Strip.
This revelation confirms long-standing suspicions among the Israeli public and is expected to serve as an important advocacy tool for Israel globally. The document, translated from German, is as follows:
For months, Israel has been unsuccessfully negotiating with the Palestinian terror organization Hamas to end the war. The talks are stalled: Hamas refuses to release the Israeli hostages kidnapped on October 7, including young women and elderly people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unwilling to relinquish control of a vital supply corridor to Hamas, fearing the resurgence of terrorists.
Now, a previously unknown document from Hamas’s military intelligence reveals how the terrorists manipulate the international community, torment Israeli hostage families, and plan to rebuild their military infrastructure. The document, outlining Hamas’s negotiation strategy, was found on what is believed to be Yahya Sinwar’s computer, is dated to spring 2024, and is available exclusively to Bild.
Hamas lists several key factors to consider during negotiations, including maintaining “our forces’ ability” to act against Israel, “exhausting” Israel’s political and military system, and “eroding” international pressure on Israel.
Hamas had no intention of a quick end to the war that would benefit the residents of Gaza. On the contrary: “Important clauses in the agreement must be improved, even if negotiations last longer.”
Despite admitting that their “military capabilities have weakened,” Hamas sees no need for a swift end to the fighting—despite the suffering of its population. The fact that thousands of Palestinian civilians have died in the fighting is not mentioned even once in the document.
Particularly devious is Hamas’s use of the kidnapped hostages to strengthen its negotiating position. The document openly states: “Continue applying psychological pressure on the prisoners’ families, both now and during the first phase (of the ceasefire, editor’s note), to increase public pressure on the enemy’s government.”
Hamas repeatedly releases videos of the hostages, forcing them to plead for their release and criticize their government. After the murder of six Israeli hostages, the terrorists released videos showing the kidnapped Israelis. These barbaric psychological tortures aim for one thing: to drive the hostages’ families to despair, making them do anything to free their loved ones, even turning against their government.
Even during the ceasefire, the Palestinian Islamists plan to use the hostages to pressure Israel. “During negotiations for the second phase (of the ceasefire, editor’s note), Hamas will allow the Red Cross to visit some prisoners as a gesture of goodwill and convey messages to their families.”
The pressure on Israel is meant to escalate, forcing it to extend the ceasefire. Hamas also outlines important demands from Israel, such as the release of 100 murderers and terrorists serving life sentences in prison.
Several core points of the document are dedicated to manipulating the international community and advancing the rebuilding of Hamas’s military strength.
Hamas talks about a “diplomatic maneuver”: in negotiations, Hamas should propose “stationing Arab forces along the eastern and northern borders” with Israel. However, these forces would have only one purpose: “The Arab forces should act as a buffer to prevent the enemy from entering Gaza after the war ends, until they (Hamas, editor’s note) can reorganize and rebuild their military capabilities.”
In other words, Hamas wants to prepare for future battles under the protection of Arab armies.
Israel is to be blamed for failed negotiations. Hamas’s message to the media should be that Israel rejected a deal offered by the U.S. The narrative should be that Hamas agreed, but the deal fell apart due to Israel’s “stubbornness.” Hamas must avoid being held responsible for the failure to reach an agreement.
Notably absent from the document is the “Philadelphi Corridor,” which has been a central focus of negotiations for weeks. However, Hamas currently pretends that it is of utmost importance to them.
The supply corridor separates Gaza from Egypt. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu wants it to remain under military control. Hamas refuses to accept this and demands a withdrawal of forces. The corridor has since become one of the most sensitive points in the negotiations, with the U.S. also applying strong pressure on Israel.
