ceasefire

The futility of Israeli concessions

Why an Israeli agreement on ceasefire would never be honored by its Jihadist foes. Opinion.

SA Chief Rabbi:

Why a ceasefire is not the answer to the Israel-Hamas war

Rabbi Warren Goldstein says a ceasefire in the Hamas-Israel war is not just misguided, but a dangerous betrayal of justice, and the West’s insistence that Israel negotiate with Hamas emboldens terror, and hastens an attack on the West.

Gantz to Blinken: Support Israel in increasing pressure on Hamas

Minister Benny Gantz speaks with US Sec of State Antony Blinken, thanking him for the US' support in crafting a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal and urging the world to support placing pressure on Hamas.

Arab source: Hamas didn't toughen its positions

Hamas is demanding that a higher number of high-profle terrorists with blood on their hands be released in a prisoner swap deal - even in exchange for 'humanitarian' hostages.

This is Hamas' new demand for a ceasefire deal

Washington Post reports Hamas is demanding a last-minute change in prisoner swap-ceasefire deal; 'take it or leave it' proposal 'indefinitely' delayed.

US admits: Hamas toughening up its position

US official says Hamas' positions are becoming less flexible, terror group's demands are different than they were several months ago.

US official:

Nothing in ceasefire agreement mentions Philadelphi Corridor

Disagreement between Israel and Gaza focuses on 'densely populated' areas, Hamas threatening to execute additional hostages, report says.

US official:

'We can account for Israel's security if it leaves Philadelphi'

Senior US official rejects claims that proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release deal would endanger Israel's security: That is just fundamentally untrue.

National Security Min.:

'I'm working to end negotiations with Hamas'

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir says he is working to end negotiations for a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal with Hamas. 'Negotiations only create more and more terror.'

Senior Israeli official:

'Israel agreed to leave Philadelphi Corridor in 2nd stage'

A senior Israeli official told mediators in recent days that Israel has agreed to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor in the second phase of a potential hostage deal with Hamas, despite PM Netanyahu's insistence the IDF's continued presence in the corridor is vital.

CIA Dep. Director:

Deal between Israel and Hamas is in Sinwar's hands

CIA Deputy Director David Cohen told an intelligence and national security summit in Washington that the Israelis were showing seriousness in the negotiations, but reaching a deal is 'largely a question that is going to be answered by Hamas' leader.'

Will a ceasefire now guarantee another war?

Rather than allowing Israel to win decisively so that the other side concludes it will never succeed in destroying the Jewish State, the US always swoops in to save the would-be genocide committers and set up the next war. Op-ed.

Undermining justice:

Israel-Hamas ceasefire would breach international law

International law has precise form and content. It cannot be invented and reinvented by terror groups. Such law does not support the hope-based adoption of cease-fire agreements between sovereign states and criminal gangs.

Dead hostages, no ceasefire, quantum mechanics & free will

Our hopes and wishes for peace are directed in the wrong direction; therefore, we are disappointed and fail to achieve our desired goal.

How did the hostage talks get so crazy?

As it always goes with the Palestinian Arabs, Washington took the path of least resistance and focused pressure on Israel. It’s the same in peace negotiations. Op-ed.

Saudi media:

Conditions of Blinken's final proposal

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, the US Secretary of State's offer for a hostage deal includes the right for Israel to exile 150 released terrorists and veto the release of 65 terrorists.

Lapid:

Netanyahu 'no longer has a soul' for not going to Egypt himself

Opposition leader accuses PM of lacking a soul for not using his claimed negotiating skills to go to Egypt and negotiate a hostage deal in person.

Hamas demanding cessation of 'aggression,' IDF withdraw from Gaza

Senior Hamas official said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preventing a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal, says deal must include Israeli withdrawal, ability for Hamas to regroup.

Bereaved father:

Prisoner swap deal 'bitter death sentence for many Jews'

Eliyahu Libman, whose son was murdered on October 7, warns that a 'deal will be the State of Israel's official encouragement of more kidnappings.'

US officials: 'Prisoner swap' deal 'on brink of collapse'

US officials concerned that if talks for what they call a 'prisoner swap' deal with Hamas fail, Iran may attempt direct strike on Israel, escalating tensions throughout the Middle East.

Netanyahu promises:

Unclear if there will be a deal, we will not exit key corridors

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets families of fallen soldiers, hostages held in Gaza, says he will stand up to pressure to relinquish control of Philadelphi, Netzarim, corridors.

Bereaved families to PM:

For the sake of Israel's children - say NO to a reckless deal

Parents of fallen soldiers urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to say 'no' to a deal which will harm Israel's security. 'Look into the eyes of our children, make a deal - but not one that harms Israel's security.'

MK Benny Gantz avoids question on price of prisoner swap deal

MK Benny Gantz is asked whether he would agree to withdrawing the IDF from the Philadelphi Corridor - but avoids the question. 'Rafah was conquered in 45 minutes, we can do it again.'

Blinken:

'Netanyahu assured me Israel accepts deal, now waiting for Hamas'

US Secretary of State says 'there is a real sense of urgency to get the deal to the finish line' after meeting Israeli leaders.

Security expert:

'End the war? Those who fell will have fallen in vain'

Former National Security Council chief Yaakov Amidror warns that if Israel abandons the Philadelphi Corridor, 'Hamas will reconnect to Sinai.'

US pressuring Egypt to station forces in Gaza after war's end

Egypt demanding ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas prior to discussions on placing Egyptian troops in Gaza following the war, official says.

Former Justice Minister:

Deal proposed today is 'the worst deal imaginable'

New prisoner swap deal would see just 20 living hostages released in exchange for long-term ceasefire, former Justice Minister Haim Ramon warns. 'Offer Hamas to end the war on condition that all the hostages return at once.'

Arab report:

Egypt agreed to delay withdrawal from Philadelphi Corridor

Israeli withdrawal no longer a precondition for a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal with Hamas, report says.

Blinken to Herzog:

This may be the last chance to bring the hostages home

Israeli President Isaac Herzog meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, stresses: 'No one should attack Israel or meddle with our clear and inherent right of self defense.'

Likud estimates: Knesset will dissolve during winter session

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu estimates that if negotiations for prisoner swap fail, he will be able to approve it -even if Smotrich and Ben Gvir oppose.

Hamas claims:

'Netanyahu still placing obstacles in way of an agreement'

Hamas officially announces its rejection of the proposal for an agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire as presented at the summit in Doha.

Israeli officials:

Philadelphi Corridor issue resolved in ceasefire talks

US Secretary of State to arrive in Israel today in bid to push for finalization of ceasefire deal this week.

Report:

Withdrawal from key corridor - decided in Biden-Netanyahu talks

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri calls US Pres. Joe Biden's belief that a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal is close 'delusional.'

PM's Office: 'Cautious optimism' regarding deal with Hamas

Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expresses 'cautious optimism' regarding chance of ceasefire-prisoner swap deal with Hamas, hope that 'heavy pressure' will lead terror group to remove opposition to US-proposed agreement.

Ceasefire? In exchange for what?

It is as empty a term as the “two-state solution,” which the Palestinians have rejected time and again, and it certainly should not be one that endangers Israel's future. Op-ed

Israel's compromise during the Doha summit

Israel has agreed to reduce veto on which terrorists are released, in exchange for an increased number of hostages released each week, report says.

US, Egypt and Qatar:

An agreement will be reached

US, Egypt and Qatar announce that an agreement will be reached before end of next week to release hostages, save lives, bring relief to the people of Gaza, and de-escalate regional tensions.

Hostage's father:

'Emerging deal could kill my son'

Tzvika Mor, the father of hostage Eitan Mor, warns that the multi-stage hostage deal puts the male hostages who will not be released in the first stage at risk.

Central sticking point:

Number of live hostages to be released in first stage of deal

Hamas insisting on releasing 'living or dead' hostages from 'humanitarian' group, Israel insists first stage of deal include 30 living hostages.

US envoy in Beirut:

'The clock is ticking for a ceasefire'

US envoy Amos Hochstein visits Lebanon, says clock is ticking for a Gaza ceasefire that could also help end the cross-border exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel.

Netanyahu approves Israeli delegation to Doha summit tomorrow

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved the departure of the Israeli delegation to Doha tomorrow, as well as the mandate for conducting the negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage deal.

Lapid answers Arutz Sheva:

'These are my limits on a hostage deal'

Opposition leader says his limits on how far he is willing to go to secure a hostage deal are the parameters of the deal currently on the table.

Biden expects Iran not to attack if a ceasefire is reached

US President says he expects Iran to back down from its threats to attack Israel if the summit aimed at securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas this week is successful.

Iranian officials say Iran may not attack if ceasefire reached

3 Iranian officials tell Reuters Iran may delay or even call off its planned attack against Israel if this week's talks on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas are successful.

New York Times: Netanyahu set new conditions for ceasefire deal

New York Times article claims Israel made five changes to the ceasefire-prisoner swap deal proposal - but details only two of them, neither a new demand.

Handwritten messages:

Where is Yahya Sinwar hiding?

'No one in Gaza knows the exact location of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar,' Hamas source tells Asharq Al-Awsat.

Report: Hezbollah under pressure to delay attack on Israel

Arab countries are pressuring Hezbollah to delay its attack until after Egypt summit on ceasefire-prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas.

Smotrich hits back:

US would reject a deal surrendering to Al Qaeda and bin Laden

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responds to White House spokesman John Kirby's verbal attack, says he expects US to 'respect Israel's democracy, citizens, and politicians,' notes that hostage deal would 'abandon most hostages to death.'

Hamas' new demand for a prisoner swap deal

Hamas terror group announces that it will demand archterrorist Marwan Barghouti's release be included in the first stage of any agreed-upon prisoner swap deal, Sky News Arabic reports.

Blinken urges:

'Stop the escalatory actions, we need a ceasefire'

US Secretary of State urges all parties in the Middle East to make efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

Hamas claims:

'Israel is thwarting a ceasefire agreement'

Hamas spokesman accuses Israel of deliberately thwarting the negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal, as manifested in the elimination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

PMO:

Hamas demanded 29 changes to ceasefire outline

Prime Minister's Office rejects Hamas's accusations Netanyahu is preventing a ceasefire deal, accuses Hamas of making dozens of new demands.

US, Australia, India, Japan demand immediate ceasefire in Gaza

'The Quad,' made up of the US Secretary of State and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India, and Japan, published a joint statement demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and the creation of a Palestinian state.

Report: These are Israel's four new conditions for ceasefire deal

Israel has set four new conditions for a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal, Al Akhbar report claims.

Hamas:

No security inspections when residents of northern Gaza go home

Egypt insists Israel compromise on demand to control Philadelphi Corridor, Hamas insists Gazans returning to northern Gaza do so without security inspections, Reuters reports.

Report: Israel agreed to one of Hamas' key demands for deal

Israel has agreed to compromise on Philadelphi Corridor, Rafah Crossing, in proposed ceasefire-prisoner swap deal with Hamas terror group, report says.

Officials to NYT:

Hezbollah willing to discuss ceasefire with Israel

Sources tell the New York Times that Hezbollah is willing to negotiate a ceasefire along the Lebanon-Israel border, provided a similar agreement is reached with the Hamas terror group in Gaza.

Defense Minister:

'Limited window of opportunity' for prisoner swap deal

IDF's military achievements during the war have created conditions, limited window of opportunity, to establish framework for the release of the hostages, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says.

Arab affairs expert:

Hamas at its lowest point militarily since the war began

Avi Issacharoff said that Israel should take advantage of the fact that Hamas needs a ceasefire to advance a hostage deal.

Israeli officials estimate:

Despite eliminations - hostage talks will continue

Based on Hamas' response, Israeli diplomatic sources estimate that the negotiations for a hostage and ceasefire deal will continue despite the strike on Hamas's military commander.