'Israel' explores Gaza ceasefire tied to captive release, Hamas exile

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
18 May 2025 15:43

"Israel" claims its negotiating team in Doha is pursuing all avenues for a prisoner exchange deal, including a ceasefire proposal and a potential end to the war.

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Israeli troops work on their armored vehicles at a position along the border with the Gaza Strip, on May 18, 2025 (AFP)

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his negotiation team in Doha is actively pursuing all avenues to secure a new agreement for the release of captives held in Gaza.

The statement marks a notable shift in the Israeli side's approach to the negotiations, as it includes consideration of frameworks that could bring an end to the ongoing war on the Palestinian enclave.

Ceasefire proposals and terms under consideration

According to Netanyahu's office, the team is working on two potential tracks: a short-term ceasefire deal based on a proposal by US special envoy Steve Witkoff or a broader deal involving a permanent ceasefire, the full release of all captives, and the exile and disarmament of Hamas.

In the statement, the office said, “Under the prime minister’s direction, even at this hour, the negotiating team in Doha is working to exhaust every possibility for a deal — whether according to the Witkoff outline or within the framework of ending the war.”

The Witkoff ceasefire plan envisions a limited agreement involving the release of a smaller number of captives in exchange for a temporary truce. Alternatively, the broader Gaza ceasefire proposal aims to secure a permanent end to fighting in exchange for the complete release of captives and the removal of Hamas from power in the Gaza Strip.

The office credited Netanyahu’s policy of combining military and diplomatic pressure with the return of 197 captives to date and reaffirmed that the government is doing “everything possible” to recover the remaining 58 captives.

Netanyahu's office emphasizes Hamas must surrender or be exiled

Despite the shift in tone, "Israel" maintains that the war will not conclude without the dismantling of Hamas as both a military and governing force. The Hamas disarmament deal, now reportedly being discussed in Doha, would require the group’s fighters to lay down arms and leave the Gaza Strip entirely.

Netanyahu has previously rejected any long-term truce that does not meet these conditions and had only agreed to consider a 45-day temporary ceasefire in return for the phased release of captives.

Netanyahu's office criticizes ex-Israeli negotiator over remarks

Netanyahu's office also used the opportunity to respond to recent public remarks by the resigned Israeli hostage negotiator, Brig. Gen. (res.) Oren Setter, who indicated that Netanyahu missed two potential opportunities to strike a prisoner exchange deal in 2023.

In a February interview, Setter said that the current mix of military and diplomatic pressure could produce a comprehensive agreement but expressed concern that this opportunity is "going to be missed — that once again, we’ll end up with a partial agreement.”

The Israeli premier's office strongly rebuked Setter, accusing him of leaking sensitive information and echoing Hamas propaganda.

“His claims that an agreement could have been reached earlier are completely baseless. As senior American officials have repeatedly testified, Hamas refused for many months to enter negotiations and was the sole obstacle to a deal,” the statement read.

Hamas, 'Israel' resume negotiations 'without any preconditions'

On Saturday, senior Hamas official Taher al-Nounou confirmed that a new round of indirect negotiations between the group and "Israel" began in Doha, with both sides entering talks "without any preconditions."

"Hamas will present its viewpoint on all issues, especially ending the war, (Israel's) withdrawal and prisoner exchange," he said.

However, a senior figure in the Palestinian Resistance told Al Mayadeen on Sunday that during yesterday's negotiation rounds in Doha, "Israel" remained adamant about securing the release of captives as part of a transitional phase, while Hamas held firm to its demand for a comprehensive package deal.

Previous Gaza ceasefire talks have failed to yield a lasting resolution, with the most recent two-month truce collapsing on March 18 when "Israel" resumed its aggression on Gaza.

'Israel's' Operation 'Gideon’s Chariots'

The resumption of negotiations in Qatar coincides with a new Israeli offensive in Gaza, which the military has labeled Operation "Gideon’s Chariots". The operation has intensified air and ground attacks across the Strip, drawing sharp criticism from humanitarian organizations due to the worsening blockade on aid.

"Israel’s" Security Minister Israel Katz claimed that the renewed military pressure played a direct role in bringing Hamas back to the table.

“With the opening of Operation ‘Gideon’s Chariots’ in Gaza… the Hamas delegation in Doha announced a return to negotiations on a hostage deal,” Katz said.

UN agencies have warned that the full aid blockade imposed by "Israel" is pushing Gaza into catastrophic conditions, with severe shortages of food, fuel, water, and medicine.