Israeli security official says that Hamas's refusal to cut a deal with Israel is what is holding back the return of Israeli hostages, not Jerusalem's refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor or the lack of agreement on Gaza the Day After arrangements. The official also denies that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds any blame for the delay in a hostage deal. The current government strategy is to introduce private US contractors into Gaza to transport humanitarian aid and split Hamas from controlling it. Ongoing pressure on Hamas is starting to bring more flexibility from the group.