The likelihood is growing that an Israeli delegation will travel early this week, most likely to Cairo, to resume negotiations on a cease-fire leading to the end of the war. Two diplomatic officials involved in the talks told Israel Hayom that preparations are nearly complete for a outline based on the Witkoff framework.
What has enabled the renewed negotiations are US guarantees to Israel that the talks will include the release of all hostages and the end of the war on Israel's terms, and not stop at the Witkoff framework.
Israel Hayom previously published the American proposal delivered to Israel late last week. It outlines a multi-stage process beginning with a cease-fire, the release of half of the hostages and the release of terrorists. The American framework envisions intensive talks on ending the war, during which, in the first weeks of the cease-fire, international organizations and multinational forces will deploy in areas vacated by the Israel Defense Forces. This is intended to prevent Hamas from reestablishing control, while gradually assuming civilian and security responsibility for the local population.
In a statement Thursday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Once the location for managing negotiations is determined, the prime minister will instruct the dispatch of an Israeli delegation to negotiate over all the hostages, both the living and the fallen, and to bring the war to an end on Israel's conditions. Israel's policy is consistent and has not changed. Israel demands the release of all 50 hostages according to the principles set by the cabinet for ending the war. We are at the final stage of defeating Hamas and will not leave a single hostage behind."
At the same time, behind the scenes, debate continues over which forces will enter Gaza. Egypt insists they be Palestinians under Egyptian command, as part of a process to bring the Palestinian Authority back into the picture. The Americans, backed by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, are pushing for a multinational force composed of security personnel from Gulf states, along with Egypt, Jordan and the US. This would be a lightly armed police force equipped with protective gear, tasked with separating the IDF from Hamas terrorists and taking control of areas vacated under the cease-fire. Alongside this force, international organizations already preparing for deployment would enter Gaza to provide food distribution, medical treatment, education and temporary housing.
Hamas, for its part, has shown no public sign that it is prepared to accept the terms for ending the war, that is, relinquishing control of Gaza and disarming. But in talks with Egypt, ideas are being discussed for how to "square the circle." One proposal would see Hamas hand over its heavy weapons to Egypt initially, with the rest of its arsenal surrendered only after the war ends. Under this arrangement, some Hamas members would remain armed and be integrated into Palestinian security forces expected to take control of the territory. Israel has made clear that the demilitarization of Gaza is nonnegotiable and that the Palestinian Authority will not be given a role in governing the Strip. Israel also insists on maintaining security control in Gaza, following the West Bank model.
Given the deep disagreements, negotiations are expected to take considerable time. Netanyahu is walking a fine line: on the one hand, approving IDF plans for full control of Gaza City, and on the other, advancing the diplomatic track. Speaking during a visit to the Gaza Division on Thursday, Netanyahu said, "These two things, defeating Hamas and securing the release of our hostages, go hand in hand." With this, he is both deflecting criticism from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who demand continued fighting, and responding to American pressure to pursue an end to the war through diplomacy. The White House, it should be noted, shares Israel's position on the terms for ending the conflict.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said Friday that there may be fewer than 20 hostages still alive in Hamas' hands. Asked about American support for Israel's military campaign despite opposition from families of the hostages, Trump said, "… So now there are 20, but probably those 20 are not 20, because maybe, perhaps, they are not alive anymore. It is a terrible thing."
Israeli officials were quick to clarify that they were not aware of any such change in the hostages' status. Gal Hirsch, head of the Hostages and Missing Families Directorate, sent a message to families stating, "According to information in Israel's possession, there is no change in the figures you have received from us: 20 of the hostages are alive, 2 are in critical condition, and 28 are no longer alive and defined as fallen hostages."
