Israel is prioritizing a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, aiming for a rapid agreement to secure the release of hostages, according to Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. Speaking in Jerusalem, Sa’ar indicated that while achieving such a resolution is a top priority, there is limited room for negotiation on core demands made by Hamas.
The negotiations, scheduled to begin in Egypt on Monday, are anticipated to involve a phased approach, reportedly aligned with a plan articulated by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The initial phase focuses on the release of approximately 48 Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli custody. Sa’ar stated that this initial exchange would naturally be accompanied by a cessation of hostilities.
Following the release of the hostages, Israel would reportedly withdraw its troops a number of kilometers, according to the proposed plan. However, Sa’ar emphasized that any further troop withdrawals would be contingent upon conditions such as the disarmament of Hamas. He cautioned that a seemingly straightforward process in dealing with Hamas could become highly complex and expressed a lack of trust in the organization itself. Instead, he conveyed confidence in the involvement of former President Trump, the United States and international actors facilitating the negotiations.
Regarding subsequent discussions regarding aspects of the proposed plan, such as Hamas’s disarmament, Sa’ar indicated a firm stance, suggesting that there would be limited tolerance for protracted negotiations on these points. He reiterated the importance of adherence to defined obligations by all parties involved in any agreement. Specifically, he stressed that an agreement would require Hamas to disarm and relinquish its weapons and that Israel’s commitment to its own obligations would be equally dependent on Hamas fulfilling its responsibilities.
