Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the Knesset in Jerusalem, Dec, 23, 2024. (Photo: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
What options are on Netanyahu’s desk, and what does he really want – a partial deal or a comprehensive one?
Families of the hostages fear a partial deal like the one currently on the table, which would leave their loved ones behind. Meanwhile, the messages coming from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office are conflicting.
During his visit to Washington in July, the prime minister made it clear to the families of the hostages that a comprehensive deal was not possible. The reason: Hamas is making draconian demands – guarantees that Israel will not resume fighting and a UN Security Council guarantee for ending the war.
Several weeks passed, and Israel threatened to invade Gaza City. But Netanyahu’s political partners, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, noticed that the prime minister was prepared to stop the planned operation and demanded a declaration: no halting the operation in exchange for a partial deal.
So, this past Saturday, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) published the following statement: “We will agree to a deal on the condition that all the hostages are released in one phase.” On the face of it, Netanyahu was saying he would agree only to a proposal in which all the hostages are released at once. Behind closed doors, however, the opposite is happening.
As reported by Kan News, Netanyahu knew that Hamas and the mediators had been negotiating for a partial deal over the past two weeks – and he even gave his blessing. Yet, under the name of a “political source,” the PMO released two statements within 24 hours saying the following: “Israel’s policy is consistent and has not changed. Israel demands the release of all 50 hostages, in accordance with the principles set by the Cabinet for ending the war.”
Bottom line: While the prime minister is signaling to his political partners that only a comprehensive deal is on the table, he is telling the mediators he is open to a partial deal. Now, following Hamas’ response, Israel must decide: reject the deal Hamas agreed to and begin the invasion operation, or accept a partial deal.
Israel is currently reviewing Hamas’ response to the new proposal for a hostage release deal. Prime Minister Netanyahu now faces three options:
Respond positively and effectively declare a partial deal.
Reject Hamas’ response and hold proximity talks with Hamas through Qatari mediation.
Launch the operation to conquer Gaza City in a limited manner, and negotiate under fire.
Sources close to Netanyahu say that, at this stage, the prime minister prefers the third option.
