Netanyahu rules out partial deal with Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will only agree to a deal with Hamas that includes the release of all remaining hostages, rejecting any partial agreements.

“The prime minister would be willing to hold negotiations [for a deal] under conditions that we set for ending the war — and only if all the hostages were to be returned. Until then, we will not participate whatsoever in negotiations,” Channel 12 news quoted unnamed sources close to Netanyahu as saying, Caliber.Az cites Israeli media.

Netanyahu’s position on whether to seek a partial or comprehensive agreement had been unclear after the security cabinet decided on August 7 to capture Gaza City. 

During a press conference on August 10, the prime minister avoided giving direct answers on the matter. According to Channel 12, he now appears to support the stance of his top adviser, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who reportedly argued against partial deals in the security cabinet meeting.

US President Donald Trump told Axios on August 11 that he does not believe Hamas will agree to a deal under the current circumstances in Gaza, and declined to take a position on Netanyahu’s recently approved plan to seize Gaza City in the north of the Strip. 

In a brief phone interview, “the president seemed to agree with [Netanyahu’s] argument that more military pressure on Hamas is required,” Axios reported.

The security cabinet approved Netanyahu’s proposal to take over the densely populated Gaza City on the night of August 7, despite warnings from the Israeli military that the operation could endanger the lives of remaining hostages and trigger a humanitarian crisis.

By Sabina Mammadli