Israel Rejects Hamas Demand for Yahya Sinwar’s Body in Hostage Deal

Israel will not hand over the body of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as part of any hostage-prisoner exchange deal, a government source confirmed on Monday night.

Earlier reports from Al Arabiya suggested that Hamas had requested Sinwar’s body be included in the first phase of the agreement. However, Israel swiftly rejected the demand.

"Israel will not hand over the body of arch-terrorist Sinwar to Hamas as part of the deal," the source stated. "It won’t happen, period."

The firm stance comes amid ongoing ceasefire and hostage negotiations, with U.S. President Joe Biden expressing optimism about the deal's progress.

"We're on the brink of the proposal that I laid out in detail months ago, finally coming to fruition," Biden said in a Monday address at the State Department. He emphasized that the framework would secure the release of hostages, halt the fighting, and ensure Israel’s security, while also allowing for an increase in humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.

With talks at a critical juncture, Israel remains resolute in its refusal to make any concessions regarding Sinwar, underscoring its position on Hamas leadership.

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