"I was asked to call Hamas from the Kirya": The indirect channel to Sinwar revealed

Dr. Gershon Baskin reveals in an article that for nearly nine years he tried to advance a deal to return Avera Mengistu, Hisham al-Sayed, and the bodies of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, but encountered consistent Israeli refusal to release Palestinian prisoners, especially those serving life sentences. Baskin claims the Israeli position left zero room for negotiation, and that Sinwar concluded Israel only understands force.

Dr. Gershon Baskin, who was involved in the negotiations for the release of Gilad Shalit, reveals in an article in Maariv his futile attempts to advance a deal for the return of four Israelis held in Gaza: civilians Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, and the bodies of soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul. Baskin describes how his efforts, coordinated with the Israeli officials responsible for the prisoner and missing file, Lior Lotan and Yaron Blum, were repeatedly rejected. The Israeli position, he says, was that no Palestinian prisoner serving a life sentence would be released, precisely the group of prisoners that Hamas saw as a central goal. Baskin proposed creative alternatives – prisoners with cancer, prisoners over 65, prisoners who had served over 20 years – but all proposals were rejected. He writes that by May 2023 he understood there was no chance for an agreement, and five months later October 7 arrived. Baskin emphasizes that his words do not justify Hamas's crimes, but argues that the refusal to compromise contributed to Sinwar's perception that Israel only understands force, and that negotiation is not weakness.