Israel Gaza truce/ Israeli cease-fire negotiations/ Gaza conflict truce/ Newslooks/ TEL AVIV/ Israel/ Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant indicated that a six-week cease-fire deal with Hamas is possible, potentially releasing hostages. However, he cautioned that a permanent end to the war remains elusive, with Israel committed to destroying Hamas.
Israeli Defense Chief on Possible Truce: Quick Looks
- Temporary Cease-Fire: Gallant sees potential for a six-week pause with Hamas.
- Hostage Release: Cease-fire could involve freeing some of the 70 hostages.
- War Goals: Israel still aims to destroy Hamas militarily and politically.
- Northern Border: Gallant believes a truce could ease tensions with Hezbollah.
- Humanitarian Crisis: Israel coordinating aid efforts but continues operations against Hamas.
Israeli Defense Chief Open to Six-Week Hamas Truce
Deep Look
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has expressed cautious optimism about reaching a temporary cease-fire with the militant group Hamas. Speaking to reporters in Tel Aviv, Gallant mentioned that the current conditions may be conducive to a six-week pause in fighting, which could include the release of many of the hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. However, Gallant stopped short of committing to a full cessation of hostilities, which Hamas has demanded as part of any agreement.
According to Gallant, the cease-fire could create a brief window of calm, particularly along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, where tensions with Hezbollah—another militant group—have been rising. The fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which began immediately after Hamas’ October 7 attack, has seen daily exchanges of fire, leading to widespread displacement on both sides of the border. Gallant believes that a truce with Hamas might also ease these tensions and allow displaced residents in northern Israel to return to their homes.
The proposed cease-fire, supported by U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators, includes a three-phase plan. In the initial phase, Israel would agree to a six-week pause in military operations, during which time Hamas would release some of the 70 hostages it holds. In return, Israel would free dozens of Palestinian prisoners, withdraw its troops from certain Palestinian population centers, and allow displaced Gazans to return to their homes. Additionally, large quantities of humanitarian aid would be allowed into Gaza, where the war has created a severe humanitarian crisis.
However, Gallant expressed doubts about the feasibility of a longer-term deal. He reiterated Israel’s commitment to achieving its “war goals,” which include rescuing all hostages, dismantling Hamas’ military and governing infrastructure, and ensuring that the group can no longer pose a threat to Israel. He also noted that the second phase of the proposed cease-fire—aiming for a complete end to hostilities—could prove difficult to implement, as Hamas has continued to regroup in areas from which Israeli troops have withdrawn.
Gallant’s comments follow reports of internal disagreements within the Israeli government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that Israel maintain a military presence in a strategic corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt, a point of contention in the ongoing negotiations. According to reports, Gallant and Netanyahu clashed during a recent Cabinet meeting over whether Israel could temporarily withdraw from the corridor without compromising its security.
While Gallant acknowledged these tensions, he maintained that his primary concern is the safety and security of Israel. He also called for greater international pressure on Hamas, accusing the group of obstructing progress in the negotiations. Meanwhile, White House national security spokesman John Kirby indicated that Hamas had been the primary obstacle to a cease-fire, accusing the militant group of making new demands that have hindered the peace process. Hamas, in response, denied the allegations and accused the U.S. of siding with Israel in the negotiations.
At home, the Israeli government faces growing pressure to secure the release of the hostages. Earlier this month, six hostages were reportedly killed by Hamas as Israeli troops closed in on their location, further intensifying public calls for action. Gallant described the current situation as a “strategic junction” for Israel, where the country could either reach a temporary deal with Hamas or risk an escalation that could draw in Hezbollah and other regional actors, such as Iran.
Gallant emphasized that Israel is prepared for both possibilities. “We are capable of defending ourselves, and we can also retaliate if necessary,” he stated. He further warned that Israel is ready to strike strategic targets in Iran if the need arises, underscoring the broader regional implications of the conflict.
Beyond the military and diplomatic challenges, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has led to a humanitarian disaster, displacing hundreds of thousands of Gazans and pushing them into overcrowded camps. The territory’s healthcare system has collapsed under the strain of war, and hunger is widespread. In response to the dire situation, Israel has been coordinating with international aid organizations to distribute humanitarian aid and has launched a vaccination program to prevent the spread of polio, which was recently detected in Gaza for the first time in 25 years.
Gallant said that his ministry has assembled an advisory group to address the worsening humanitarian situation. The group is focused on five key areas: healthcare, aid delivery, energy, water, and sanitation, as well as improving communication with aid workers on the ground. “We assess the situation twice a week,” Gallant noted, indicating that Israel is working to balance its military objectives with humanitarian considerations.
While Gallant’s remarks offer a glimmer of hope for a temporary truce, the broader question of ending the war remains unresolved. Israel’s ongoing commitment to dismantling Hamas, coupled with the militant group’s reluctance to give up its remaining hostages without significant concessions, suggests that a lasting peace deal may still be far off.
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