Hamas document reveals hostage abuse strategy to leverage negotiations, says BILD

A document reportedly found on the computer of Yahya Sinwar, a senior Hamas leader, reveals the organization's strategy of abusing hostages to strengthen its negotiating position.

The German newspaper BILD, which obtained the document, reported on Friday that it outlines tactics including psychological torture of hostage families and specific demands in the ongoing conflict with Israel.

The document, which dates back to spring 2024 and was reportedly approved by Yahya Sinwar himself, details several factors Hamas considers critical when negotiating a hostage-ceasefire deal.

These include exhausting Israel's military resources, increasing international pressure on Israel, and maintaining Hamas's armed capacity. Notably, the document explicitly states that Hamas aims to exert psychological pressure on the families of hostages to influence public opinion against the Israeli government.

"Continue to exert psychological pressure on the families of the [hostages], both now and during the first phase [of the ceasefire], so that public pressure on the enemy government increases," the document instructs.

This revelation comes shortly after the discovery of six Israeli hostages' bodies in a tunnel beneath Rafah by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the release of several videos by Hamas showing hostages speaking of their dire conditions before their deaths.

Hostages as a Lever in Negotiations

According to BILD, the document outlines a strategy where Hamas uses hostages to increase pressure on Israel during ceasefire negotiations. For example, it suggests allowing the Red Cross to visit some hostages as a "gesture of goodwill" to relay messages to their relatives, aiming to heighten pressure on Israel to extend the ceasefire under terms favorable to Hamas.

The document also indicates that Hamas is not seeking a swift resolution to the conflict that would benefit Gazan civilians. Instead, it stresses the importance of prolonging negotiations to improve deal terms, despite acknowledging that Hamas's military capacity has been weakened.

BILD's analysis of the document highlights Hamas's broader strategy of leveraging the situation to manipulate international opinion and rebuild its military power. Among the demands listed are the release of 100 prisoners, including terrorists serving life sentences in Israeli prisons.

The document also refers to a "political maneuver" involving the proposal of stationing Arab forces along the eastern and northern borders with Israel. This, according to the document, would serve solely as a buffer to prevent Israeli forces from entering Gaza after the war, giving Hamas time to reorganize and rebuild its military capabilities.

Hamas is clear in the document that it intends to hold Israel solely responsible for any unsuccessful negotiations. It instructs that if Israel rejects a deal brokered by the U.S., the media must be informed that Hamas had agreed to the terms, but the deal failed due to "Israel's stubbornness." The document explicitly states that Hamas should not be blamed for any failure to reach an agreement.

Key Points Missing from the Document

Notably, the document makes no mention of the Philadelphi Corridor, a critical point in ongoing negotiations, and it fails to address Palestinian casualties or civilian deaths. Instead, it focuses primarily on strategies for maximizing pressure on Israel and strengthening Hamas's position during and after the conflict.