In a poignant plea on live television, a mother of an Israeli hostage held in Gaza made a bold offer to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar: release all 109 hostages, both lifeless and alive, in exchange for the children of Israel’s security officials.
Ditza Or, whose son Avinatan was abducted during the attacks on October 7, emphasizes not a call for ceasefire, but a stronger fight against Hamas.
Ms. Or, along with other families of hostages who are advocating for military action, stand as unexpected supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces escalating pressure from U.S. officials and his own security team to adopt a more conciliatory stance.
Recent leaks from a phone call between Netanyahu and a prominent ally revealed that President Biden urged the Israeli leader to be straightforward, hinting at doubts over Netanyahu’s commitment to negotiations.
As talks continue in Cairo aimed at resolving disparities between Israel and Hamas, rifts between Netanyahu and his own advisors are reportedly widening.
Political analyst Dana Weiss revealed that Netanyahu privately criticized his negotiators, accusing them of weakness, while positioning himself as the sole defender of Israel’s security interests.
Differing perceptions of responsibility for the situation have contributed to the urgency—or lack thereof—of securing a deal, according to Weiss.
Weiss noted that military officials feel a deep sense of accountability for the events of October 7 and believe they must prioritize the hostages’ return. In contrast, Netanyahu has largely shifted responsibility to the military without feeling the same urgency.
Netanyahu articulated that recovering the hostages ranks as his second priority after defeating Hamas and has reaffirmed his dedication to ensuring Israel’s security despite mounting external and domestic pressures.
This shift in Netanyahu’s public persona comes nearly a year after a devastating attack challenged his reputation as the ‘Mr. Security’ of Israel.
Central to the negotiations is the contentious issue of Israeli military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a strip of land along Gaza’s border with Egypt.
Netanyahu remains steadfast on maintaining Israeli military presence there, citing security imperatives, despite reports indicating that negotiators view this as a potential stumbling block.
A senior Hamas leader emphasized that they would settle for nothing less than the withdrawal of Israeli forces, accusing Netanyahu of prolonging negotiations to buy time rather than seeking an agreement.
As the conflict continues, Hamas faces scrutiny over the tangible benefits for Gaza and the Palestinian people following months of violence.
It appears that Hamas may find it easier to agree to compromises on prisoner exchanges than to accept continued Israeli military presence and checkpoints affecting civilians.
Additionally, Egypt reportedly refuses any agreements that do not empower Palestinians on the opposite side of their border.
Hamas has not officially participated in the current round of discussions, with many suggesting that Sinwar’s main goal is to prolong the Gaza conflict to ignite broader regional tensions, thereby pressuring Netanyahu into making further concessions.
The risk of wider escalation, fueled by threats from regional powers, is a significant factor in increased U.S. efforts to facilitate a ceasefire.
Political analyst Weiss stressed that Defence Minister Yoav Gallant concurs that failing to pursue a ceasefire, even temporarily, risks further escalation.
Conversely, Netanyahu believes conceding to Hamas could be perceived as weakness by Iran and Hezbollah, arguing instead for decisive action against Hamas to prevent a wider conflict.
However, domestic political dynamics may be influencing Netanyahu to prolong negotiations, as his approval ratings have seen a rebound after a period of decline.
Recent polls indicate a surge in Netanyahu’s approval, both for his party, Likud, and his performance as leader, reversing earlier dismal ratings.
Attention now turns to the next scheduled round of negotiations on Sunday, where Egypt is expected to share updated proposals with Hamas.
Mediators maintain that a deal remains within reach, although optimism appears to be waning.
Following a meeting with Netanyahu, Ella Ben Ami, daughter of a hostage, expressed her concerns about the return of captives, noting, “I left with a heavy feeling that this isn’t going to happen soon.”
The urgency of negotiations mounts for the hostages in Gaza, the civilian population, and the overall stability of the region.
For leaders Sinwar and Netanyahu, the passage of time may prove to be their most significant asset in this ongoing conflict.
