The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement on the current state of talks in Doha, confirming that Israeli negotiators are actively pursuing a possible agreement to secure the release of hostages. According to the announcement, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is willing to bring the war against Hamas to a close—if such an agreement ensures the full return of all hostages.
“Under the Prime Minister’s directive, the negotiation team is actively working in Doha to explore every opportunity for a deal—whether along the Witkoff outline or as part of an end-of-hostilities arrangement, which would include the release of all hostages, the exile of Hamas terrorists, and the disarmament of Gaza,” the official statement declared.
If an understanding is reached under an “end-of-hostilities” plan, the war effort would come to a halt.
In response to public comments by Brigadier General (res.) Oren Setter, a former participant in the negotiation efforts, officials close to Netanyahu pushed back forcefully. Setter had asserted that an agreement could have been achieved earlier, but the Prime Minister’s Office dismissed this. “His claims that an earlier agreement was possible are entirely baseless,” the statement read. “As repeatedly confirmed by senior American officials, Hamas refused for months to engage in negotiations and was the sole obstacle to an agreement.”
The statement went further, accusing Setter of causing real harm to sensitive diplomatic efforts. It alleged that he selectively leaked details from cabinet meetings, which in turn jeopardized the lives of the hostages and helped amplify Hamas’s disinformation. “He did this because he supports ending the war and leaving Hamas in power,” the Prime Minister’s Office asserted.
Officials close to Netanyahu also stated that had the Prime Minister yielded to the pressure of Setter and like-minded critics, the consequences would have been severe. “Had the Prime Minister succumbed to pressure from Setter and his allies, Hamas would have had time to rebuild, Nasrallah and the Hezbollah leadership would still be alive with tens of thousands of rockets, Assad would remain in power, and Iran would have suffered no significant damage.”
Speaking to Kan Reshet Bet, Setter maintained his view that this is a critical juncture in the conflict. “Military and diplomatic pressure is at its peak. This happens every few months, and it’s when Hamas becomes more flexible. I see an opportunity now and am concerned it will be missed—again settling for a partial deal instead of using this chance to bring back all the hostages. This is the optimal moment to reach the best possible agreement. For that, multiple elements must align, especially intense military and diplomatic pressure as we have now.”
{Matzav.com Israel}