Hamas continues to insist on a clause that would prevent the IDF from returning to fighting in the Gaza Strip after phase one, in the outline of a deal for the release of hostages and a ceasefire, according to the words of a senior official published yesterday (Wednesday). According to him, “there are other gaps that have not yet been closed. Israel will continue negotiations while continuing the military and political pressure to bring about the release of all 120 of our hostages, both the living and the dead.”
The New York Times reported that senior IDF officials believe that a cease-fire would be the best way to release the 120 hostages who remain in captivity. In addition, they claim that senior IDF officials believe that the IDF forces also need recovery time if a war with Hezbollah breaks out, and a ceasefire with Hamas may also make it easier to reach an agreement with Hezbollah, which is known to insist on continuing fighting as long as the war in Gaza continues.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu last night addressed the rumors that appeared in The New York Times and said “We will end the war only after achieving all of its goals – and the IDF has all the means to achieve them.” Netanyahu also added to the said report, “I don’t know who they are ‘Unnamed factors,’ but I am here to make it unequivocally clear that this will not happen,” and he emphasized, “We are not succumbing to the winds of defeat neither at The New York Times nor anywhere else. We are imbued with the spirit of victory.”
Defense Minister Yoav Galant, who visited the assembly grounds in the Gaza Border areas today, told the soldiers: “It is the operational capacity and the logistical capacity that allow us to reach and realize the goals of the war, and we in the Gaza Strip are getting closer to this issue. Hamas is worn out, we are in a difficult situation and we will reach our goals from a very strong position And this thing is getting closer.”
In addition, American Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, referring to the day after Gaza and the hostage deal, said that “the proposal that Biden put forward is achievable – and we saw the world come together and support it. The whole world supported it, except for Hamas, which came back with agreement but added an ‘if’. He even came back In talking about what I agreed to in the past, I still believe it is achievable.”
According to him, “The fastest way to end the conflict is to return the abductees, but only one person who is probably buried underground in Gaza has the ability to decide yes or no. I don’t know if he will give the positive answer that the world is waiting for and demanding.”