Israel has outlined a series of demands in exchange for agreeing to a ceasefire as part of negotiations aimed at ending the war in Gaza, diplomatic sources familiar with the talks told Israel Hayom on Sunday. These demands include a full commitment from Hamas to surrender its weapons, the exile of the group's leaders from Gaza, security measures to prevent any threat to Israel from the territory, and more.
The Israeli position was presented during discussions for a comprehensive agreement, primarily centered on the Emirates-Saudi plan reported last week by Israel Hayom. A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Saturday concluded with a notable remark, "Under the prime minister's guidance, the negotiating team in Doha is working at this hour to exhaust every possibility for a deal – whether through the Witkoff framework or as part of ending the war, which would include releasing all hostages, exiling Hamas terrorists, and demilitarizing Gaza of weapons."
This marks one of the rare instances where Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly discussed a deal to end the fighting. A subsequent clarification noted, "The negotiating teams in Doha are discussing the Witkoff framework, not the possibility of ending the war by agreement." This clarification underscores the reality – talks about ending the war are not happening in Doha, where the focus remains on the Witkoff plan, which involves releasing half the hostages and a 40- to 60-day ceasefire.
However, negotiations to end the war are ongoing through the highest-level channels in the Middle East and directly with the White House. The central plan under discussion is the Emirates-initiated proposal, joined by Saudi Arabia and viewed favorably by the United States. Under this framework, the war would end with a full Israeli withdrawal, the return of hostages, Hamas's disarmament, and Arab-international oversight during the reconstruction phase. The Palestinian Authority would have a symbolic role in the Arab-international body, mainly due to its legal responsibility for the territory.
Here too, United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is the main facilitator, and the partners in the talks are Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Jordan. The Palestinian Authority is kept informed and has set its own conditions, mirroring Israel's demand for Hamas' disarmament and removal from Palestinian leadership. However, the Authority also seeks significant involvement in Gaza's reconstruction and management, though Gulf states are distancing it until it implements administrative reforms to combat corruption, inefficiency, and anti-Israel education in its system.
Israel's full withdrawal would occur only after security guarantees are secured, particularly regarding the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border. All parties agree that Hamas must surrender its weapons – from rockets to small arms – likely to an Arab entity. Senior military leaders of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other "resistance" groups would leave Gaza. Temporary housing camps would be established during reconstruction, with priority for the sick and injured to leave the territory.
The United States had hoped that after the parties reached a principled agreement, the plan could be announced, and a ceasefire implemented during President Donald Trump's visit last week. However, Hamas continues to formally reject the disarmament condition, and Israel was unwilling to give even a preliminary agreement without its terms for ending the war being guaranteed.
According to diplomatic sources in the Middle East and Washington, Israel's stance is a willingness to discuss the plan but only after Hamas agrees to its terms. Israel, the sources say, demanded a "seriousness down-payment" from Hamas regarding relinquishing control and disarming.
Hamas was prepared to concede far less. Statements from the group's leadership to Arab media indicated a willingness to give up control of Gaza. Other anonymous sources claimed Hamas was ready to send its remaining senior commanders to a third country in exchange for immunity for them and their families. Some Hamas leaders are prepared to announce disarmament, but it remains unclear whether this position is shared across the leadership, especially after the apparent elimination of Mohammed Sinwar, who opposed the move. An unverified report from another Arab source suggested Hamas might agree to disarm gradually, but only after a guaranteed full Israeli withdrawal.
Leaks from the Doha talks on Sunday indicated that Hamas is showing flexibility but remains firm on demanding a long-term ceasefire until the war officially ends. Israel, as noted, insists that ending the war be contingent on Hamas surrendering its weapons, disarming Gaza, and removing its leadership.
The recently launched ground operation, which effectively began in Khan Younis and northern Gaza, combined with the elimination of Hamas' military leadership – including its last commander, Mohammed Sinwar, though not yet fully confirmed – exerts significant pressure on Hamas' leadership. Israel believes it can achieve nearly all its demands.
Additional Israeli demands include a long timeline for withdrawal, solutions for the Philadelphi Corridor and perimeter issues, and the option for any Palestinian wishing to leave Gaza to do so. Israel estimates that around one million Gaza residents would embrace this change.
A senior Israeli official agreed that, from Israel's perspective, a better deal is likely unattainable. However, this stance conflicts with parts of the government's factions, including within Likud, who advocate for security control over Gaza and, eventually, reestablishing Israeli settlements there. Another contentious issue is the broader context of normalization in exchange for negotiations toward a comprehensive solution – namely, establishing a Palestinian state at the process's end.
The White House's strong emphasis on ending the war and achieving a comprehensive deal to expand the Abraham Accords increases the plan's chances, but significant obstacles to agreement remain.
