Israel, which has repeatedly stated that the conflict in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed as a military and political force, has signaled a significant change in strategy.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has laid out the terms for a compromise with Hamas to “end the fighting” in Gaza, suggesting that Tel Aviv is amenable to such an arrangement. This appears to be a change in strategy. The hostage negotiation team in Doha, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), is pursuing “every possibility” for an agreement with the Palestinian organization to either temporarily halt hostilities or stop the war permanently.
The PMO said its team is considering US special envoy Steve Witkoff’s proposal for either a comprehensive accord to stop the war by freeing all captives in Gaza and the full surrender and exile of Hamas operatives, or a limited hostage swap and short-term ceasefire.
Whether in accordance with the Witkoff framework or as part of putting an end to the fighting, which would include the release of all hostages, the exile of Hamas terrorists, and the disarmament of the Gaza Strip, the Doha-based negotiating team is currently working to explore every avenue for a deal, according to a statement from his office.
Israel claims that 58 hostages are still in the hands of Hamas, with roughly 23 of them reportedly still alive.
Israel, which has repeatedly stated that the conflict in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed as a military and political force, has signaled a significant change in strategy. In an effort to put pressure on Hamas to release Israeli hostages, Israel has prohibited the entry of food, fuel, and medical supplies into Gaza since the beginning of March. Israel has even authorized plans that may entail taking control of aid and occupying the whole Gaza Strip.
How Does Hamas Respond?
As mediators from Egypt and Qatar, supported by the United States, launched a fresh round of indirect ceasefire negotiations between the two sides on Saturday, Hamas has stated that it will only release the hostages in exchange for an Israeli truce.
Hamas commander Mohammed Sinwar may have been killed in an Israeli bombing, according to sources in Israeli and Arab media. Neither Israel nor Hamas have verified or rejected the accusation, which could further complicate ceasefire negotiations.
The Israeli force killed at least 100 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in nighttime strikes early today. The Israeli military, which has increased its strikes on the enclave, killing hundreds of people since Thursday, in anticipation of a fresh ground invasion to establish “operational control” in areas of Gaza, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Is Netanyahu Under Increasing Pressure?
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel is refusing to end the war in exchange for Hamas releasing the other captives due to his political interests, according to Einav Zangauker, mother of Hamas hostage Matan Zangauker.
The Israeli government continues to demand only partial agreements. They are torturing us on purpose. Please bring our kids back! In a post on the social media site X, Zangauker stated, “All 58 of them.”
