Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas do not agree on much. But they agree on two things: first, they both reject a two-state solution; and second, when it comes to an agreement to bring back the more than 100 hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, both sides want their interests to be valid.
Hamas demands that Israel withdraw all its troops from Gaza and release large numbers of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons. Netanyahu responded on Tuesday (30): “We will not withdraw the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from the Gaza Strip and we will not release thousands of terrorists. None of that will happen. What will happen? Total victory.”
Both are likely to be disappointed. Negotiators reportedly agreed on a “framework” for a deal. The first phase would be a six-week pause in fighting, during which civilian hostages would be released; three Palestinian prisoners would be released for each of the hostages. A higher proportion would be applied in later phases, when IDF soldiers and the bodies of dead hostages were released, perhaps along with a longer truce.
However, whatever the contours of a final agreement, there are no good options for Netanyahu. On the one hand, the hostages' families – especially the women who may have been sexually abused in captivity – pressure him to do whatever is necessary to bring them all home.
On the other side are his far-right coalition partners; Itamar Ben Gvir, the firebrand Minister of National Security, said on Tuesday that he would topple the government if it agreed to a “reckless” deal with Hamas.
For Netanyahu, this is a problem. The latest poll from Israel's Channel 12 found that his popularity continued to decline; the elections would most likely see him expelled from office. To avoid further damaging his prospects, Israel's prime minister will have noted that the same poll concluded that 50% of Israelis oppose a hostage deal that would entail a 45-day truce and the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners, while 38% were in favor.
However, even without Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Netanyahu would still have the numbers in the cabinet to drive a hostage deal. And even if he didn't, opposition leader Yair Lapid says he would step in to support the prime minister on this issue.
Many things could still happen to nullify a hostage deal: US retaliation for a deadly drone attack by Iranian-backed militias is one of many (Iran is also a funder of Hamas). But optimism that a deal could be reached has never been greater. Maybe Hamas and Israel will find something else they agree on?
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
