Israel is moving forward with a controversial ceasefire deal in Lebanon that reportedly has now inspired Hamas to express interest in coming back to the negotiation table with Israel for their own truce in the Gaza war.
Initially, Hezbollah and Hamas had sworn that neither would sign a truce or stop fighting unless hostilities ceased in both areas simultaneously. Hamas attacked Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 men, women, and children and taking 251 people hostage. Then, on Oct. 8, Hezbollah attacked Israel’s north, joining the conflict. In November of 2023, Israel was successful in securing the release of 105 of the hostages, but Hamas refused to release the rest. Reports say the hostage exchange deal broke apart because Hamas denied the release of the last children, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who were ages four years old and nine months old at the…
