Netanyahu postpones deciding Gaza’s fate after prisoner negotiations with Hamas falter!
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has postponed a decision on the measures and steps the Israeli army will take in the devastated Gaza Strip if Hamas doesn’t agree to the agreement, amid the stalemate surrounding ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations, despite the efforts of mediators.
According to an Israeli source, the decision won’t be made this week.
One idea being put forward, should Hamas not agree to the agreement, is to encircle Gaza City and other population centers, while another idea is to invade the city.
According to the Israeli source, several Israeli ministers support different plans.
This comes amid internal disagreements within the Israeli government over its preferred course of action in the Strip.
A senior Israeli official explained last Thursday that Israel and the United States are in the process of formulating a new understanding regarding Gaza, after receiving Hamas’ response.
He added that the two allied countries will simultaneously work to increase humanitarian aid, while military operations in Gaza continue.
Meanwhile, Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced on Friday that he “will know within days whether an agreement is still possible, otherwise the fighting will continue”.
During a field tour of the Gaza Strip, Zamir said, “I believe we will know in the coming days whether we will reach a partial agreement to release the hostages”.
He added, “If not, the fighting will continue unabated”.
