Mossad says Hamas toughening demands for hostage deal, wants to ‘ignite the region during Ramadan’

The Mossad in a statement carried by the Prime Minister’s Office says Hamas is “fortifying its position” with regard to a potential hostage deal, and instead is looking to “ignite the region during Ramadan,” set to begin tomorrow.

The statement says the spy agency’s director David Barnea met on Friday with the chief of the CIA, Bill Burns, “as part of the ceaseless effort to advance another deal for the return of the hostages.”

“At this stage, Hamas is fortifying its position as if it is not interested in a deal, and it strives to ignite the region during Ramadan at the expense of the Palestinian population of the Gaza Strip,” the Mossad says.

The Mossad adds that “the talks and cooperation with the mediators continue all the time in an attempt to narrow the gaps and advance agreements.”

Source » timesofisrael.com