Government ministers claim that when they approved the first phase of the hostage agreement with Hamas, they had already gave a green light to portions of Phase Two, despite formal discussions not yet beginning, Israel Hayom has learned exclusively. According to the ministers, the initial agreement includes not just a commitment to talks about the second phase, but also stipulates the withdrawal of all Israel Defense Forces from Gaza after day 42, except for a 2,297-foot wide perimeter hold.
Additionally, ministers assert that documents presented to them then – contrary to claims from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's circle – show IDF forces will completely withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor (the border with Egypt) by day 50. The withdrawal from the corridor will begin after the return of the last hostages on day 42 and conclude on day 50 of the deal. Ministers say this is scheduled to occur regardless of the deal's progression to its second phase. Furthermore, at that same meeting before the first phase approval, ministers were presented with the new "price list" for releasing remaining hostages. According to two ministers, of the approximately 360 life-sentence prisoners remaining in Israeli custody – none will remain. This effectively means emptying the prisons of the most serious terrorists regardless of their severe crimes, who will find themselves free, with the number of terrorists exchanged for each person Hamas defines as a soldier increasing significantly.
Meanwhile, the negotiating delegation returned from Doha early on Monday. On Tuesday, the prime minister will convene the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet to discuss the continuation of negotiations.
Minister Amichai Chikli addressed the Phase Two discussions in an interview with Army Radio, stating "I will oppose Phase Two of the deal. It's important that we renew the war and achieve full control of northern Gaza and do it like an army. For every strip we take, we'll have a dramatically better negotiating position with Hamas and return the hostages at rational prices, not like in 'Schalit Deal 2' (referring to the deal to release Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit in 2011). There's no other option for the State of Israel. We haven't completed the mission and haven't fulfilled it. We cannot pass this mission to the next generation."
Minister Bezalel Smotrich made similar sharp comments about the emerging deal on Sunday. He stated, "We will not agree to make diplomatic moves as part of a hostage release deal. No responsible leader would make diplomatic decisions and surrender to diplomatic dictates as part of a hostage deal. Anyone who does this isn't fit to be a leader. Our government won't surrender to this madness. It will continue to act decisively to return all hostages but won't surrender to Hamas and won't stop before its complete destruction."
