Two simultaneous initiatives are underway as Israel seeks to secure an agreement with Hamas for the release of hostages being held in Gaza, according to statements from Israeli authorities.
Mossad Chief David Barnea is advocating for a comprehensive deal that would not only end the war in Gaza but also halt the ongoing IDF operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. This agreement would also result in the release of all Israeli hostages, an Israeli official shared with The Times of Israel.
In a separate effort, ministers attending a security cabinet meeting on Sunday were briefed on another proposal. This plan involves offering Hamas a temporary ceasefire lasting two weeks in exchange for the release of five hostages, as reported by the Ynet news outlet.
Earlier on Sunday, Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar reportedly discussed this more limited plan during a meeting with Egyptian officials in Cairo, according to the Israeli official.
The cabinet meeting came just days after IDF forces eliminated Yahya Sinwar, a senior Hamas leader, in Rafah. Both Israeli and US officials had previously identified Sinwar as a key figure impeding negotiations.
“He blocks everything or doesn’t respond,” an Israeli official said in an interview with The Times of Israel before Sinwar was killed on October 16.
Following Sinwar’s death, the same official noted on Sunday evening that it was “still too early” to determine whether his removal had led to any real advancement in negotiations.
“We are definitely trying to instigate the conversation around another hostage deal,” the official added.
This week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Israel and other Middle Eastern countries in an effort to facilitate both the release of hostages and an end to the ongoing conflict. American officials have characterized Sinwar’s death as a potential “opportunity” to negotiate a ceasefire and secure a deal for the hostages.
Blinken is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu on Tuesday around midday, according to Netanyahu’s office.
Despite the growing push from both Israeli and international officials to strike a deal, Israeli negotiators informed ministers during the extended six-hour cabinet meeting that Hamas’s demands remained unchanged, even after the death of Sinwar, according to Army Radio.
However, there is speculation that these demands might shift once Hamas’s new leadership is in place.
The security cabinet also spent considerable time discussing Israel’s expected retaliation for the Iranian ballistic missile attack that occurred on October 1.
“We are operating under the assumption that this will be part of an ongoing series of retaliatory strikes between Israel and Iran,” explained the first Israeli official.
Contrary to expectations, the cabinet did not hold a vote on granting Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant the authority to determine the timing of a retaliatory strike on Iran, Yedioth Achronoth reported.
Netanyahu and Gallant reportedly aim to delay final approval of a counterstrike until the last possible moment, as they did with the operation that resulted in the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in late September, the report noted.
Votes of this nature can be conducted quickly, even by phone, within minutes.
Additionally, Yedioth reported that some ministers expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceived as a “weak response” to the recent drone attack on Netanyahu’s residence in Caesarea, which they believe had the backing of Iran. Security personnel responded that they act strictly according to directives issued by the political leadership.
The first Israeli official clarified that while the drone attack will not influence Israel’s forthcoming strike on Iran, a significant response to the incident is planned.
Army Radio also reported that the cabinet discussed the provision of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, especially in light of a recent letter from US officials warning that delays in aid could disrupt certain arms deliveries to Israel.
US Secretary of State Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin cautioned Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer last week that Israel must significantly improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza within one month or risk jeopardizing ongoing weapons supplies from the US.
The US is advocating for a large increase in aid shipments, pushing for hundreds of trucks of supplies to enter Gaza daily. American officials are also concerned about Israeli legislation that could prevent UNRWA from operating in the region.
Back in July, the Knesset passed the first reading of a series of bills designed to dismantle the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and eliminate its operations for Palestinian refugees and their descendants.
According to Ynet, the Foreign Ministry warned of potential risks if the legislation targeting UNRWA is passed. One concern is that Israel could be seen as violating the UN charter, which might even lead to its expulsion.
Some ministers voiced frustration that these dangers were not clearly communicated before the legislative process began in the Knesset.
{Matzav.com Israel}