JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized that Israel will not agree to a hostage deal with Hamas at any cost, ahead of critical negotiations slated to take place later this week.
Netanyahu made his remarks during a meeting with two victims’ groups, Valor Forum and Tikva Forum, on Tuesday, after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) successfully retrieved the bodies of six Israeli citizens killed while in captivity in Gaza.
“I am not sure that there will be a [hostage] deal,” Netanyahu told the groups, according to a joint statement issued afterward. Both organizations advocate for a strong and uncompromising stance in the ongoing negotiations with Hamas.
“If there is a deal, it will be one that safeguards those [Israeli] interests which I have repeatedly stressed, which is preserving Israel’s strategic assets,” Netanyahu added.
The prime minister’s comments come at a time when accusations have surfaced, alleging that Netanyahu might be adding unnecessary conditions to the deal, which could sabotage its progress.
Critics within the security establishment have raised concerns that his tough stance could further delay the negotiations or risk the possibility of an agreement altogether.
However, Netanyahu’s office has responded to the allegations, insisting that the prime minister remains committed to securing the best possible outcome for Israel.
Government spokesperson David Mercer stressed that Netanyahu was “willing to be flexible” but noted the complexity of the talks, pointing the finger at Hamas for the lack of a resolution so far.
Despite the accusations, Netanyahu has made it clear that Israel will not waver on three critical points: the absence of an initial permanent ceasefire, maintaining an IDF presence in the strategic Philadelphi Corridor, and ensuring the maximum return of hostages in the first phase of any agreement.
“We will not accept an outline that includes an end to the war [a permanent ceasefire] as an initial condition,” Netanyahu reiterated during his meeting with the victims’ groups.
The negotiations come at a critical moment in the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has seen escalating violence since the war began.
Netanyahu has consistently maintained that the conflict must continue until Hamas is fully eradicated from Gaza, while Hamas has held firm on its demand that any hostage deal include a permanent ceasefire agreement.
On Monday, Netanyahu met for three hours with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has been actively involved in trying to mediate a deal.
Blinken’s visit is part of a broader U.S. effort to push for a resolution to the ongoing crisis, as Washington seeks to balance its support for Israel with concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
As the high-stakes talks approach, both sides remain locked in their respective positions. Netanyahu’s firm stance on Israel’s strategic priorities suggests that any potential deal will likely face significant hurdles, even as international pressure mounts for a resolution to the crisis.
In the meantime, the Israeli public and the families of hostages in Gaza continue to wait anxiously for news, hopeful that a breakthrough can be reached, but wary of the difficult road ahead.