5 days Ago
Israel and Hamas have not yet responded officially, but Israel's foreign minister expressed optimism earlier, saying the cabinet was very supportive and the people of Israel strongly demanded an agreement, if the chance is there. This development adds to the ongoing updates in Israel and Hamas news.
Israeli Government Tensions and Conditions of the Deal
But the hardline ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who are known to have sway over Israel government decisions, called an emergency meeting in an effort to prevent the potential deal. Hamas continues to demand, as a condition for the release of any remaining hostages, "an end to the war, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza". The group is thought to still be holding around 50 hostages, including about 20 who might still be alive.
With Trump's plan, his special Middle East envoy Hunsfor ten living hostages and fifteen bodies to come out at once. A full release would come there after a final, permanent resolution is reached.
Diplomacy and Domestic Pressure Face Netanyahu
This past week, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer travelled to Washington for meetings with Trump administration officials. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit the White House next week to continue the discussions.
"We want to make a deal," Trump told reporters, saying he thinks Netanyahu is "going to make a deal" and that "I think we're going to reach a deal next week." On social media, the president delivered a more immediate order, in capital letters: "Make a Gaza deal. Get the hostages back!!! "
At home, Netanyahu is coming under growing pressure to restore the hostages. He has said the recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have created a new diplomatic opening, potentially to secure the hostages' release, and has focused some of his efforts on encouraging Israel not to launch a broader military attack on Iran. But he has also reiterated that Israel's larger goal of crushing Hamas and eliminating the Gaza threat has not changed, despite growing concerns about a potential Iran attack.
But reports from inside Israel have been mixed in their account of Netanyahu's intentions - some say he is willing to negotiate, others say he is still pushing for a hardline military response.
For now, life in Gaza is still extremely challenging. While aid trickles in, so, too, do civilians, but not enough of either and with limited safety. Monday was one of the deadliest recent days, when an airstrike hit a cafe in Gaza City, killing dozens.
