Without concessions, no Gaza captive deal, officials warn Netanyahu
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Israeli officials agree that Hamas is unlikely to agree to any deal without a complete Israeli troop withdrawal and an end to the war.
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Protesters shout slogans during a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of captives held in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 (AP)
Senior Israeli security officials emphasized on Sunday that "Israel" must adopt a more flexible approach regarding a potential withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war to secure a deal for the release of captives held in the Palestinian Strip, the Israeli Ynetnews website reported.
It pointed out that the renewed push follows stalled negotiations, prompting Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to convene his cabinet for consultations.
According to Ynetnews, the high-level meeting, involving Security Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, underscores deep divisions within the government.
Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, staunch opponents of any agreement to end the war, have warned they could dissolve the coalition if such a deal is reached, the news website indicated.
It mentioned that security officials estimate that of the 101 captives held in Gaza for over 400 days, only 51 remain alive and caution Netanyahu that without significant Israeli concessions, no agreement is likely, leaving the remaining captives at risk.
Efforts to revive negotiations are also shaped by regional developments and the election of Donald Trump for a second term as US President, Ynetnews added.
Trump has conveyed messages indicating that he wants to finalize a prisoner exchange deal before entering the White House in January. Meanwhile, Netanyahu prefers reaching an agreement now, before the US-President elect takes office, fearing that Trump might impose an end to the war on him, the news website mentioned.
It revealed that Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, Israeli military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, and Mossad Director David Bar recently held a meeting with Security Minister Katz to assess strategies for resuming talks.
Ynetnews said that discussions have explored all options for giving "Israel" renewed momentum to achieve a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange under the pretext of retrieving the captives.
According to the media outlet, officials agree that Hamas is unlikely to agree to any deal without a complete Israeli troop withdrawal and an end to the war.
It also claimed that while Qatar has publicly distanced itself from the mediation process, it remains engaged discreetly.
Moreover, Egypt is actively participating in negotiations, and "Israel" is considering whether to involve Turkey in the discussions, the news website noted.
In a related context, the Israeli Channel 12 cited retired Israeli Major General Noam Tibon, former Northern Corps Commander, as saying that if "Israel" fails to bring back the captives from Gaza, "There will be no victory in the war."
"This is the number one goal of the war, and they must be brought back, even at the cost of ending the war," he stressed.
"Rain has already started to fall, and we know how winter is in Lebanon, we must move toward a settlement now," Tibon told Channel 12.
"There must be no more containment and turning a blind eye, whether in the south or the north. Every breach must be responded to by Israel with all its might."
"I wish the leaders would quickly end the war (against the backdrop of the army's casualties) in Lebanon and in the Gaza Strip following the army's great achievements," he claimed, asserting that "now is the time for a political end and long-term agreements."
Netanyahu’s government has lost legitimacy
Ynetnews also touched on the leak of classified documents from Netanyahu’s office, including allegations that Eli Feldstein, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson, attempted to influence the prisoner exchange agreement.
Einav Tzingauker, the mother of one of the Israeli captives in Gaza, accused Netanyahu of sacrificing the captives for personal considerations while acting against their families and the Israeli public.
On its part, the so-called "Free in Our Land" campaign responded to the leaked classified documents by saying, "Time and again, Netanyahu’s office is exposed for trying to distort and manipulate reality to fit his [the Prime Minister's] needs, whether by altering protocols or leaking classified information, thereby harming Israel’s security for political survival."
The campaign further stressed that "Netanyahu’s government lost its legitimacy long ago and is now desperately clinging to power by all means, including attacking the families of captives who have not rested since October 7." It also called for the formation of a new Israeli government.
Read more: Significant majority of Israelis prefer deal over continued war: Poll
