CNN: Netanyahu holds back on Gaza plan, US-Israel coordination grows

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has deferred a decision on the Israel Defence Forces’ next steps in Gaza until next week, a source familiar with the matter told CNN on August 1.

The decision, which was initially expected this week, has been delayed amid internal divisions within the Israeli government over the strategy to pursue if Hamas does not agree to a ceasefire.

According to the source, among the options under consideration are surrounding Gaza City and other urban centres or launching a full-scale ground operation to seize control of the city. Government ministers reportedly support different approaches, contributing to the delay in reaching a unified decision.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, a senior Israeli official stated that Israel and the United States are working on a new strategic understanding regarding Gaza, particularly as Hamas appears to have withdrawn from the ceasefire and hostage negotiations.

“At the same time, Israel and the United States will work to increase humanitarian aid, while continuing military operations in Gaza,” the official noted.

Two sources confirmed to CNN that Hamas has recently disengaged from the ceasefire talks, a development that followed the withdrawal of US and Israeli negotiators from the negotiations in Doha, Qatar. During that round, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff accused Hamas of not negotiating sincerely. Despite the breakdown, an Israeli official had previously indicated a willingness to return to Doha if Hamas altered its position.

On Thursday, however, Hamas issued a statement affirming its commitment to continue negotiating toward a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, but only if the humanitarian conditions on the ground improve markedly.

The stalled negotiations are unfolding against the backdrop of an increasingly dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. According to the United Nations, all 2.1 million residents of the enclave are now food insecure, lacking consistent access to sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food. The health ministry in Gaza reported that 900,000 children are going hungry, and 70,000 show symptoms of malnutrition.

Basem Naim, a senior figure in Hamas’ political bureau, told CNN that a meaningful resumption of talks would require “significant improvement” in humanitarian conditions, as well as a written Israeli response to Hamas’ latest proposal. “This is a condition to go back to negotiations,” he said.

In a separate statement, Hamas reiterated that it is prepared to resume talks immediately, on the condition that humanitarian aid reaches those in desperate need and that the famine in Gaza is alleviated. The group warned that negotiating under starvation conditions “loses its substance and effectiveness.”

CNN had earlier reported that Hamas was considering adopting a tougher stance in the talks. Senior Hamas member Mahmoud Mardawi said on July 28 that there was no point in continuing negotiations while the population of Gaza was enduring a starvation crisis.

By Tamilla Hasanova