Brother Yahya Sinwar Is Believed To Be A Decisive Of Hamas' Decision On Gaza's Armistice

JAKARTA - Those involved in negotiations for the ceasefire and a hostage-taking deal in Gaza believe the current Hamas top decision maker is Mohammed Sinwar, Yahya Sinwar's brother who was killed by the Israeli military.

Mohammed Sinwar is seen as the same hardline militant as his brother, according to the source. Hamas has yet to make an official announcement regarding Mohammed Sinwar's leadership.

Two sources said indirect negotiations were once again underway over a deal that would result in a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the limited release of hostages.

The main proposal discussed by the United States and Israel in recent days is a month-long ceasefire in exchange for the release of several hostages.

The number of hostages to be released based on the proposal is still uncertain, the source said.

This ceasefire will be shorter than the first phase which lasted for six weeks, which was previously discussed before the last negotiations failed.

Qatari negotiators, who are with Egypt are Hamas' main interlocutors, are currently submitting a limited proposal to Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to refuse to provide concrete guarantees on the path to a greater deal to end the war, they added.

A diplomat involved in the talks said Hamas wanted confirmation of Israel's approval of any plans submitted to them.

On Sunday, CIA Director Bill Burns was in Doha, Qatar to meet with Israel's Mossad Director David Barnea and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammad bin Abdulrahman al Thani in a bid to restart ceasefire discussions following Yahya Sinwar's death.