IDF chief says hostage deal ‘on the table’ but in ‘Netanyahu’s hands’
Teh article reports that Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir,the chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF),has stated that a hostage deal with Hamas is “on the table” but ultimately depends on the approval of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Zamir mentioned that ongoing military pressure has created conditions favorable for the release of hostages taken by Hamas. The proposed plan is described as an improved version of the “Witkoff framework,” a proposal by Steve Witkoff, a special envoy from former President Donald Trump. This framework involves a temporary ceasefire to allow for hostage releases and humanitarian aid, with longer-term discussions about Gaza’s governance. Families of hostages have expressed strong support for the deal, urging the Israeli government to proceed. Hamas is believed to still hold about 50 Israeli hostages, with around 20 reportedly alive.
IDF chief says hostage deal ‘on the table’ but in ‘Netanyahu’s hands’
The chief of the Israel Defense Forces says his country has an opportunity to strike a deal for the return of hostages taken by Hamas.
Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, head of the IDF, said Sunday that “as a result of the military pressure, we created the conditions for the release of the hostages” and that Israel needs to seize the opportunity.
“There is a deal on the table — we need to take it. The IDF brought the conditions, now it’s in Netanyahu’s hands,” Zamir said at the Haifa naval base, according to Israeli outlet Channel 13.
Zamir reportedly added that the proposed plan is an “improved” version of the “Witkoff framework.”
The “Witkoff framework” refers to an arrangement proposed by Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East.
Under that framework, combat would be temporarily paused to allow for the intermittent release of hostages and an increase of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.
During the ceasefire, which could be extended if mutual commitment to peace were sustained, discussions would be held to address the question of future governance of the Gaza Strip.
Family members of hostages, organized under the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, immediately voiced support for Zamir and urged the Israeli government to strike the deal.
“The IDF chief of staff is saying what the majority of the nation is demanding: A comprehensive deal for the return of the 50 hostages and an end to the war,” the Forum said in a Sunday statement, according to the Times of Israel.
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The group continued: “Like the entire nation of Israel, so too the IDF chief of staff does not want another ‘cleared for publication’ [announcement of a fallen soldier] but rather the return of our brothers and sisters from Gaza.”
Hamas is believed to still have 50 Israeli hostages, with approximately 20 of them believed to be alive.
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