The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, suggested that the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran could pave the way for a deal in Gaza that secures hostage release.
Netanyahu’s remarks came as the Israeli military ordered Palestinians in northern Gaza to evacuate ahead of a major offensive, despite the US President Donald Trump’s push for a ceasefire in the war-torn enclave.
New Opportunities
Addressing the members of Israel’s domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet on Sunday, Netanyahu said that many opportunities unfolded for Israel following its military operations in Iran, including the release of hostages and ending the war in Gaza, according to CNN.
“As you probably know, many opportunities have opened up now following this victory. Firstly, to rescue the hostages. Of course, we will also need to solve the Gaza issue, defeat Hamas, but I believe we will accomplish both missions,” he said.
This marks the first time that Netanyahu has prioritized the return of hostages over the defeat of Hamas, which he has called the “supreme objective” for Israel’s war in Gaza.
Pressures Mount for Ceasefire
Netanyahu’s remarks come amid intensified pressures for a ceasefire in Gaza. Mediators have been pushing to revive talks on Gaza deal since the Iran-Israel conflict ended. On Sunday, Trump urged Hamas and Israel to reach a deal. “MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!” he wrote on Truth Social.
The US President also expressed optimism regarding an imminent agreement in Gaza, that could materialize within a week. “We’re working on Gaza and trying to get it taken care of,” he told reporters on Friday.
Moreover, the Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, is set to travel to Washington and meet with Trump administration officials on Monday to discuss the Gaza issue. He will likely arrange a US visit for Netanyahu in the coming weeks, which could signal movement on a deal, the Associated Press (AP) reported citing an Israeli official.
This followed a high-level meeting between Netanyahu and some of his closest advisers, including Dermer and Defense Minister, Israel Katz, on Sunday night to discuss the Israeli military operation in Gaza.
Iran Ceasefire Impact
The US and Qatar-mediated ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel, which ended their 12-day war, has raised hopes for restarting negotiations between Hamas and Israel to end the war in Gaza. In the light of this, the CNN reported, citing a security source, that the Israeli military now recommends a diplomatic path in Gaza after the elimination of most of Hamas’ senior leaders.
Ceasefire negotiations have stalled several times, as Hamas is seeking stronger guarantees for a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal for Israeli troops from Gaza, while Israel insists on the destruction and disarmament of the Palestinian group.
The latest proposal, made by the US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, included a 60-day temporary ceasefire before starting negotiations for a comprehensive agreement to end the war and the release of 10 Israeli hostages and a number of bodies, in exchange for releasing an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners.
New Evacuation Orders
The Israeli military on Sunday issued new evacuation orders for Palestinians in Gaza City, Jabaliya and other areas in northern Gaza, instructing them to move south toward Al-Mawasi as the Israeli military operations will intensify and expand westward, the military spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, posted on X.
On Sunday, Israeli attacks killed at least 88 Palestinians, including three children, and injured 365 others, Gaza’s Health Ministry said. The war in Gaza, which has entered its 21st month, has killed 56,500 Palestinians and wounded more than 133,000 since October 7, 2023, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
