GNITN - Special Edition

Israel At War Day 644

Release Them All

No Agreement

We learn from a report in The Jerusalem Post that Hamas is rejecting the offer on the table:

Hamas has raised objections to Israel’s second ceasefire proposal, which was submitted to mediators and outlines the deployment of IDF forces in the Gaza Strip during the proposed 60-day ceasefire.

As I predicted the terrorist want Israel to leave Gaza totally and Israel is willing to give up some territories, but not key ones:

The updated offer, presented late on Wednesday, includes increased Israeli flexibility regarding the presence of the IDF during the ceasefire in the area stretching south from the Morag Corridor toward the Philadelphi Corridor, located along the Gaza-Egypt border.

One person knowledgeable about the negotiations noted that the talks are at an impasse:

One source described the situation to The Jerusalem Post as a “stalemate,” while another said, “We thought things would move faster due to American and Qatari pressure. At least a few more days of negotiations will be needed.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu told hostage families that no agreement could be reached:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with families of hostages on Wednesday and told them that, under the current circumstances, a comprehensive deal could not have been reached.

The PM then said that only Hamas knows which 10 hostages would be released:

“There was no such option,” Netanyahu said. In response to questions about who might be released under the deal, he told the families: “All of them are humanitarian cases. It will likely be Hamas that decides who will be released.”

Surprisingly, Netanyahu’s office said that talks about ending the war permanently would start at the outset of any ceasefire:

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu said that at the beginning of the 60-day ceasefire, “we will enter negotiations for a permanent end to the war, meaning a permanent ceasefire.”

Adding more details he gave the things Hamas has to do for the fighting to stop, things I know the terrorists will not agree to do. He also said that these points will happen regardless:

He clarified Israel’s conditions: Hamas must disarm, Gaza must be demilitarized, and Hamas can no longer maintain any governing or military capabilities. “If this can be achieved through negotiations, all the better. If not, we will achieve it through other means - by force, through the strength of our heroic army.”

Bring Them All Home

The report then confirmed that the US also wants the discussions to end the war to begin immediately once a ceasefire is reached:

A source familiar with the negotiations told the Post that Trump’s Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is planning to push for talks on ending the war from the very first day. “He’s planning for the talks to begin immediately and intends to travel to Qatar in person to start them,” the source said.

It all sounds nice, but we all know who is holding things up:

Hamas claimed on Wednesday that on its side, there were several sticking points, including the flow of aid, withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and "genuine guarantees' for a permanent ceasefire." Although it has agreed to release 10 hostages, the terror group described the talks as "tough" due to Israel's "intransigence."

I have accused the hostage families and the hostage forums of always putting pressure on the Israeli government to capitulate to Hamas, but they are taking a hard line on dragging out releasing the hostages. If an agreement is reached it will only see half of the current living hostages set free:

Families of hostages called for a complete deal that would see the return of all remaining 50 hostages in a rally at Washington DC on Monday.

They want a total release, not a partial one:

“We are here to remind President Trump and PM Netanyahu that there are 50 hostages to be released. We cannot accept a deal for a partial release”, says Ilan Dalal, father of Guy Gilboa-Dalal.

He also added: “A partial deal would mean that some of the hostages will stay in the tunnels for more time, and this would be a death sentence. Please make a deal that will bring all the hostages home.”

We’re told by Christian Bible teacher and author Amir Tsarfati on his Telegram channel how he feels about these negotiations and what Israel should do:

The guilt carried by the IDF top command, the Shin Bet, and the Israeli prime minister since October 7 has blinded them to the fact that deals with Hamas prolong the war and cause more casualties. Terrorists must be defeated, not negotiated with. The International Court will accuse us of unfounded war crimes regardless, so why restrain our soldiers instead of imposing a siege until all hostages are released and Hamas lays down its weapons? If we could eliminate Iran’s military command in 12 days, dominate its skies, humiliate the Ayatollah Regime, and enable the U.S. Air Force to strike a major blow against its nuclear sites, why can’t we defeat a far inferior group like Hamas?

Tsafarti then addresses the question about the hostages:

Some may argue, “But, Amir, what about the hostages?” I respond that if we cannot act decisively because of the hostages, we signal to Iran and other terrorist groups worldwide that kidnapping Israelis is more effective than investing billions in ballistic missile and nuclear programs.

I have to agree with him on this. It is hard to do what he suggests because of the strong feelings Israelis have to redeem those taken captive. Hamas knew this when they took the hostages and they are not going to stop using these innocent people and the tactic overall unless they see that it stops working.