هل ترى «هدنة غزة» النور قريباً؟

Amid the ongoing indirect negotiations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that a ceasefire agreement for 60 days could be reached within a few days, while Hamas confirmed that the talk of the impossibility of reaching a comprehensive deal reflects the "malicious and bad intentions" of the occupation.

Netanyahu told Newsmax yesterday (Thursday) that there is currently a deal to release half of the living "hostages" and half of the dead, with 10 of the living and about 12 bodies remaining. He added that the war could end today or tomorrow if Hamas lays down its arms.

Netanyahu had stated that if Hamas is not disarmed and the movement dismantled within the 60-day period, Israel would return to fighting. He added before leaving Washington that Israel would enter negotiations regarding a permanent end to the war, but this must be done according to its conditions, as he put it.

Netanyahu's office reported that the Prime Minister and his wife met in Washington with several families of the captives. He confirmed during the meeting that efforts are ongoing to return the living and deceased prisoners.

Israeli Channel 12 revealed that Netanyahu informed the families of the captives that a comprehensive deal could not be achieved, but during the ceasefire period, efforts would be made to end the war, and he promised the families of the captives to work towards the return of the last prisoner.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that Netanyahu informed the families of the captives that Hamas would decide the names of those to be released if an agreement is reached, while the newspaper "Haaretz" stated that Netanyahu told the families that negotiations to end the war would begin immediately upon reaching a 60-day ceasefire agreement.

The families of the Israeli captives in Gaza responded by demanding that Netanyahu's government provide them with complete information about the mechanism for determining who will be released. They requested to know the parties that will determine the names of the prisoners and the criteria they consider when selecting the names.

In the meantime, far-right ministers continued their calls to reject negotiations, as Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated, "The more negotiations on reckless deals increase, the more Hamas is motivated to carry out more kidnappings." He called for an end to the pursuit of a deal, saying that the lives of Israeli soldiers and residents of the south are more important than any normalization or economic agreements.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warned that withdrawing from areas controlled by the Israeli army is a stab in the back of the soldiers and the families of those who fell in battles.

For its part, Hamas stated that Netanyahu's remarks about the impossibility of reaching a comprehensive deal confirm his malicious and bad intentions by putting obstacles in the way of reaching an agreement that leads to the release of prisoners and the cessation of aggression against the Gaza Strip.

It confirmed that it had previously offered to reach a comprehensive exchange deal to release all prisoners at once in exchange for a permanent cessation of aggression and a complete withdrawal of the occupation army, but Netanyahu rejected the offer at the time and Hamas accused him of evasion and placing more obstacles.

The movement reiterated its commitment to a positive and responsible approach in negotiations to reach an agreement that leads to the cessation of aggression and the withdrawal of the occupation army in exchange for a prisoner exchange.