Hamas has expressed dissatisfaction with Israel’s latest truce proposal, which was delivered to mediators and outlines how the IDF would remain stationed within parts of Gaza during the envisioned 60-day pause in fighting.
The revised plan demonstrates that Israel is willing to show more leeway regarding the army’s positioning during the ceasefire, particularly in the zone stretching from the Morag Corridor down to the Philadelphi Corridor along the border with Egypt.
One insider told The Jerusalem Post the situation had reached a “stalemate,” while another source noted, “We thought things would move faster due to American and Qatari pressure. At least a few more days of negotiations will be needed.”
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu sat down with relatives of the hostages and informed them that, given the current reality, there was no possibility of securing a broad agreement. “There was no such option,” Netanyahu said. When asked which hostages might be included in a deal, he added: “All of them are humanitarian cases. It will likely be Hamas that decides who will be released.”
In an official announcement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu said that once the proposed 60-day truce begins, “we will enter negotiations for a permanent end to the war, meaning a permanent ceasefire.”
He emphasized Israel’s core requirements: Hamas must lay down its weapons, Gaza must no longer be militarized, and the terror group must lose all ability to rule or fight. “If this can be achieved through negotiations, all the better. If not, we will achieve it through other means – by force, through the strength of our heroic army.”
According to a source familiar with the matter, President Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, intends to jumpstart efforts toward a final resolution from day one of the ceasefire. “He’s planning for the talks to begin immediately and intends to travel to Qatar in person to start them,” the source stated.
Hamas announced on Wednesday that it still had unresolved concerns, such as the volume and consistency of humanitarian aid entering Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and receiving “genuine guarantees” for a lasting truce. While the organization is prepared to release 10 hostages, it labeled the discussions “tough” and blamed Israeli “intransigence” for the difficulties.
At a demonstration held in Washington, DC, on Monday, families of those still being held captive urged that any agreement must result in the return of all 50 remaining hostages.
“We are here to remind President Trump and PM Netanyahu that there are 50 hostages to be released. We cannot accept a deal for a partial release,” said Ilan Dalal, father of Guy Gilboa-Dalal.
{Matzav.com}