FLASH
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Hamas has demanded that Israel stop flying surveillance drones over Gaza along with the military operation in exchange for the release of hostages held by the terror group, according to two Israeli officials and a third source familiar with the ongoing negotiations.
While Israel could suspend its military operations for up to several days to allow the release of many hostages, the sources suggested it is unlikely to grant the drone request as it would mean losing track of the movements of Hamas operatives, including any efforts to relocate hostages within the Gaza Strip.
Hamas' request for the drone flights has not been previously reported, and with intense discussions continuing, it is unclear whether it remains on the table or has already been formally rejected by Israel as part of the negotiations.
A spokesman for the Israeli embassy in Washington declined to comment on Friday. The Israeli military has been flying drones in the skies over Gaza for hours almost every day during their military operation, using them as a primary surveillance tool to monitor the battlefield.
Throughout the negotiations, Israel has balanced its urgent desire to free the hostages with concerns that Hamas would only use any pause to overwhelm Israel's military advantage and regroup.
A pause in the fighting that also requires Israel to keep its drones out of Gaza airspace would deny the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) one of its most important ways to monitor Hamas movements from above. It could allow Hamas to reposition its fighters before the cease-fire expires with Israeli troops exposed on the ground and would provide Hamas with a window to rearrange hiding places for the hostages.
The Pentagon has also flown US surveillance drones over Gaza in support of Israel's efforts to find the hostages, which include about 10 Americans. US officials said US intelligence gathered is not being used to carry out deadly attacks.
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