The initial statement, released during Netanyahu’s visit to the IDF’s Gaza Division headquarters in southern Israel, suggested a dramatic shift. Netanyahu pledged both to pursue negotiations with Hamas and to approve the army’s operational plans to capture Gaza City and “defeat Hamas.”
In a second message, the source emphasized that Netanyahu was “impressed” by the army’s Gaza City plans and “pleased” with them. Finally, in a third clarification, the source said that once a venue for negotiations is set, Netanyahu would order an Israeli team to participate in talks — but only “on all hostages, both living and dead, and on ending the war on Israel’s terms.”
Those terms, Netanyahu has repeatedly said, include dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities, returning all hostages, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, maintaining Israeli security control there and installing an alternative civilian administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.
Critics said the prime minister’s statements reflected an effort to balance competing pressures. Hardline coalition partners, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, are demanding a full-scale conquest of Gaza. Families of the roughly 50 hostages still held in Gaza, meanwhile, have pressed for a deal that could secure the release of some 20 believed to be alive.
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Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir
(Photo: AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
For now, Netanyahu’s message is twofold: yes to preparing for a military push, no to accepting Hamas’ partial proposal, and a carefully worded “yes” to negotiations — but only under conditions defined by Israel.
