A senior security official revealed Monday in closed-door discussions that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is mapping out the conclusion of the Gaza war by October.
The official emphasized this represents a "final deadline," and should conditions mature and objectives be achieved, the military campaign could conclude earlier. According to the source, the underlying rationale is to prevent the conflict from extending beyond two years.
Meanwhile, Israel continues to reject ceasefire proposals that would allow Hamas to maintain an armed presence in Gaza. A diplomatic official told reporters Monday, "The reason we didn't launch an intensive campaign after the ceasefire ended but instead took gradual steps stems from our desire to give negotiations for the hostages' release a chance. We want to exhaust all efforts to return the hostages, which is what's influencing our operational patterns. We're still trying to maximize efforts to secure a hostage release deal, but our patience isn't unlimited."
The official noted that Qatar has exerted a negative influence on negotiations recently. Addressing new proposals, the source said, "Certain Arab countries are suggesting ideas like a five-year war pause. There's absolutely no chance we'll agree to a hudna [long-term ceasefire] with Hamas that would permit them to rearm, recover, and resume their war against Israel with greater intensity."
