While the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet convened yesterday for more than four hours to approve plans for conquering Gaza City, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement that sources suggest the meeting participants had not been informed about in advance concerning renewed activation of negotiations for releasing the hostages.
In a statement he recorded in advance at the Gaza Division, Netanyahu said, "We're at the decisive stage. I came today to the Gaza Division in order to approve the plans that the IDF presented to me and to the defense minister for taking control of Gaza City and defeating Hamas. In parallel, I have instructed to begin immediate negotiations for the release of all our hostages and the end of the war, on conditions that are acceptable for Israel. Those two things, the defeat of Hamas and the release of all our hostages, go hand in hand."
In Netanyahu's statement, one can find a hint at what is no longer on the table from Israel's side – a partial deal for releasing some of the hostages and a limited ceasefire. While Hamas, through the mediators, signaled this week that it is prepared for the same framework with modifications (whose content has not yet been clarified), Netanyahu is effectively placing on the table a demand to strive for a complete deal and ending the war in a manner that suits Israel's demands and distances himself from Hamas agreements.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Gaza Division:
"We're at the decisive stage. I came today to the Gaza Division in order to approve the plans that the IDF presented to me and to the Defense Minister for taking control of Gaza City and defeating Hamas. pic.twitter.com/07VxSaHfQ1— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 21, 2025
The choice that Netanyahu presents within a short driving distance from Gaza City to Hamas is clear concerning rapid agreements for a comprehensive deal or conquest of Gaza City and from there to the central camps. The war – as officials also made clear last night in Israel – will not halt for the sake of negotiations, moreover – the timeline for conquering the city has been accelerated.
Assessment suggests Hamas terrorists will flee
The negotiations that will resume will take place as stated under fire. Even as of the writing of these lines, senior officials confirm that no delegation will be sent to Doha or Cairo without meaningful progress in contacts being conducted behind the scenes.
Israeli sources said yesterday that there is nothing new in the position that Netanyahu presented according to which the door remains open for negotiations at all times – even when preparations for the operation to conquer Gaza City and evacuate the population from it are being completed. According to them, the one who still does not demonstrate readiness for a deal of any kind on Israeli terms is Hamas, and only the military action itself will apply the required pressure.
Sources who participated in last night's discussion during which war plans were presented to the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet headed by Netanyahu said that "the prime minister is satisfied with the plans that the IDF presented." Among other things, ministers received assessments on the timeline for carrying out preliminary preparations for taking control of the city and evacuating it of population before addressing Hamas' terror infrastructure. This includes an assessment according to which most Hamas terrorists will escape during the population evacuation to the Mawasi area and only a minority will remain to fight against IDF soldiers who will enter to maneuver in the city.
However, sources on the right continue criticizing the Military Advocate General's restrictions on cutting off water to Gaza City during the war and after evacuating the population, in order to deepen damage to the terrorists and protect the soldiers, but Netanyahu did not lead to a change in plans as a result.
"We hit Hamas at home and abroad"
The chief of staff also – who it appears that the attacks against him from within the government have calmed down – sounds ready to carry out the plan that the cabinet decided on and he is expected to bring it down to execution in the coming weeks. On a tour in the Khan Younis area, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said that "we hit Hamas very hard. It was a terror army and today it is a guerrilla organization. We will continue and hit Hamas everywhere, inside and abroad. We will pursue them for as long as necessary and everywhere necessary."
The chief of staff also said, "We issued tens of thousands of reserve call-up orders for forces that will join here. We appreciate the reservists and their families, they are doing holy work. We call them only when needed and when required and we rely on them. I am confident they will report until completing the mission. We are discussing with the political echelon about plans for continuation and creating the best operational achievements on the battlefield to bring before them the maximum options. Our struggle is still long and many challenges await us."
Regarding the Hamas attack that was thwarted the day before yesterday, the chief of staff told the soldiers who eliminated the terrorists, "The attempted attack that was thwarted here is significant, I appreciate you and the way you acted. We need to be prepared at all times and strengthen the pattern of action, alertness and sharpness. It is important to continue learning and drawing lessons. This incident could have ended differently."
