A look at the prospects for a cease-fire deal after Israel rescued 4 hostages from Hamas captivity
Israel’s dramatic rescue of four hostages from inside the Gaza Strip comes at a sensitive time in the 8-month-old war, as Israel and Hamas weigh an American-backed proposal for a cease-fire and the release of the remaining captives
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel's dramatic weekend rescue of four hostages from deep inside an urban area of the Gaza Strip came at a sensitive time in the 8-month-old war, as Israel and Hamas weigh a U.S. proposal for a cease-fire and the release of the remaining captives.
Both sides face renewed pressure to make a deal: The complex rescue is unlikely to be replicated on a scale needed to bring back scores of remaining hostages, and it was a powerful reminder for Israelis that there are still surviving captives held in harsh conditions. Hamas now has four fewer bargaining chips.
But they could also dig in, as they repeatedly have over months of indirect negotiations mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt. Hamas is still insisting on an end to the war as part of any agreement, while Israel says it is still committed to destroying the militant group.
Here is a look at the fallout from the operation and how it might affect cease-fire talks:
