Hamas is using the hostages in its hands not only to bring about an end to the war, but also to ensure the continuation of its rule in the Strip. The main price that Israel is required to pay for the first phase of the deal is the risk of ending the war without the overthrow of Hamas' rule.
Hamas will try to anchor the ceasefire in a semi-official arrangement with Qatar and Egypt, he says. The release of terrorists from Yosh who are imprisoned in Israel will greatly strengthen the position of Hamas in this region.