Haaretz: Plan to end Gaza war may include political compensation for Israel
The Israeli Haaretz newspaper reported that a plan currently under discussion to end the war in the Gaza Strip may include what it described as political compensation for Israel, with the aim of softening the stance of far-right ministers in Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, who are expected to oppose any agreement that includes a ceasefire.
Haaretz quoted unnamed Israeli, American, and Gulf sources as saying, “The plan currently being discussed to end the war in Gaza is expected to include political compensation for Israel”.
The sources added that these political compensations could include talks between Israel and Saudi Arabia regarding normalization, a similar agreement with the Sultanate of Oman, and a possible historic declaration by Syria regarding ending the state of hostility with Israel.
The sources explained that linking these regional moves to a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas aims to facilitate the agreement’s passage within the Israeli government, particularly the far-right ministers, “who are expected to pressure Netanyahu not to agree to a deal that includes an end to the war”.
According to Haaretz, the plan includes the release of 10 living Israeli prisoners in the first phase, followed by the start of indirect negotiations on general principles for ending the war, as these talks are to be held during the ceasefire period.
The sources explained that this step aims to shorten the negotiation period and prevent the collapse of the talks and a return to escalation.
Under the proposed agreement, both sides, Israel and Hamas, will declare the war officially over at the end of the operation, with the remaining prisoners to be released later.
The plan, according to the report, also includes a series of concessions from Hamas, including expelling its senior leaders from Gaza, ending its rule in the Strip, and handing over civil administration to a coalition of Arab countries to undertake the reconstruction of the region.
Arab countries have previously announced their support for the Palestinian Authority’s reassertion of control over Gaza, while Netanyahu rejects any role for the Authority in the Strip.
Moreover, Hamas leaders have consistently rejected offers to go into exile or give up the movement’s weapons, which they consider a “weapon of resistance”.
Haaretz added that Qatar informed the Hamas leadership residing in Qatar that approval of the plan would lead to an end to the war, and that the United States pledged to ensure its implementation and prevent Israel from violating the ceasefire after the release of the first hostages, however, Doha hasn’t issued any announcement in this regard.
For its part, according to Haaretz, Israel is demanding guarantees that would allow it to resume military operations if negotiations fail after the implementation of the first phase of the agreement.
According to the Israeli newspaper, senior Israeli officials recently said that Tel Aviv may show flexibility on some aspects of the deal, as long as the principle of the possibility of returning to war if necessary is maintained.
The Israeli opposition and the Hostages families assert that Netanyahu is continuing the war in deference to the more extreme right-wing faction within his government, to advance his personal political interests, particularly his continued hold on power.
Haaretz quoted an Israeli source as saying that there are intensive contacts with the US administration regarding the plan, as part of preparations for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to Washington next week.
Earlier Tuesday, Netanyahu announced his intention to visit Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump and a number of officials.
He would depart Saturday evening, and that the meeting would take place next Monday at the White House.
