ALBAWABA - The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported Thursday that initial backchannel contacts are underway to restart ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
According to the Jerusalem Post, citing two sources, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is working discreetly behind the scenes to renew negotiations regarding a potential prisoner exchange deal. The report indicated that mediators are preparing to accelerate talks should the negotiations resume.
The Wall Street Journal quoted Israeli officials saying that several ministers and security officials are secretly pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Gaza — to agree to a ceasefire. According to the report, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned that fully occupying Gaza City could force Israel to impose military rule, increasing Israel’s legal liabilities if it assumes full control.
The report also noted that Mossad chief David Barnea and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar remain hesitant about the planned offensive on Gaza City. Sa’ar reportedly fears the diplomatic cost of prolonging the war and has emphasized the urgency of rescuing as many hostages as possible.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “We must now focus on how to end the war in Gaza and eliminate Hamas.” He added that the war “could end tomorrow if Hamas surrenders and releases the hostages.”
In Doha, a Hamas delegation led by Gaza leader Khalil al-Hayya met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss ongoing diplomatic efforts, including mediation attempts led by Egypt and Qatar and Hamas’s political outreach to regional allies, according to a statement by the group.
Netanyahu recently rejected a partial prisoner exchange deal during a heated meeting of the Israeli Security Cabinet, despite growing domestic and international pressure to revisit negotiations. Israeli opposition leaders and families of captives accuse Netanyahu of deliberately obstructing agreements to prolong the war and protect his political future.
Backed by U.S. support, Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza since October 7, 2023 has resulted in 64,231 Palestinian deaths, 161,583 injuries, thousands missing, hundreds of thousands displaced, and a worsening famine that has killed 370 Palestinians, including 131 children.
