Netanyahu proposes ending Gaza war in return for exiling Hamas leaders
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The proposal was made to none other than the US president who wants to turn Gaza into the "Riviera of the Middle East."
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed a plan to US President Donald Trump aimed at ending the war on Gaza and securing the release of high-profile Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the exile of senior Hamas leaders from the territory, Israeli news site Walla reported.
According to Walla's correspondent Barak Ravid, Netanyahu sought to reach an understanding with Trump and his administration officials on maintaining the ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange deal. The deal hinges on introducing modifications that align with the new US administration’s policies.
Senior US officials told Walla that Netanyahu’s plan for the next phase of the agreement includes a proposal for Hamas’ senior leaders to relinquish power in Gaza and leave the territory.
Meanwhile, US Middle East envoy Steve Whitkoff is expected to meet with Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Miami to discuss the second phase of the agreement following his talks with Netanyahu.
An Israeli source told the Israeli news website that the second phase of the deal would proceed only if Hamas agreed to give up control of Gaza. If the group refuses, the Israeli occupation forces will not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, using this point as leverage.
Trump-Netanyahu meeting details
US news site Axios, citing Israeli and American officials, revealed details from the Tuesday meeting between Trump and Netanyahu in Washington.
A senior Israeli official familiar with the meeting said Trump assured Netanyahu that his goal was to secure the release of all captives held in Gaza. While he did not elaborate on the different phases of the deal, Trump expressed confidence in Whitkoff’s ability to negotiate the captives’ release.
For his part, Netanyahu reaffirmed his willingness to engage in serious negotiations regarding the second phase of the agreement, the official added.
US officials reported that Netanyahu wants to extend the first phase of the ceasefire beyond the initial 42-day period to facilitate the release of additional captives. Some 33 captives were freed in the first phase. The Israeli occupation, in return, would release more Palestinian prisoners under yet-to-be-determined conditions.
An Israeli official involved in the negotiations indicated that the Israeli regime may secure the release of only two or three additional captives based on their medical conditions.
Hamas willing to give up civilian governance
Israeli officials claim that Hamas has expressed willingness to relinquish civilian governance and reconstruction efforts in Gaza, transferring these responsibilities to an alternative entity such as the Palestinian Authority or an independent administration. However, according to Walla!, the Resistance movement is not willing to give up its military power or its weapons.
At the same time, Israeli officials believe that the chances of Hamas leaders in Gaza agreeing to leave are extremely low, which could jeopardize the deal and lead to a prolonged war.
Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli occupation—whose first phase took effect on January 19—indirect negotiations for the next stage were set to begin Monday.
While the talks did not kick off on Monday, Hamas expressed its readiness to begin negotiations on the second phase of the ongoing truce in Gaza.
"Hamas has informed the mediators, during ongoing communications and meetings held with Egyptian mediators last week in Cairo, that we are ready to start the negotiations for the second phase," one official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks.
The official called on mediators to "ensure that the occupation adheres to the agreement and does not stall." A second Hamas official added that the group was "waiting for the mediators to initiate the next round" of discussions.
