Netanyahu sets stage for Rafah operation amid Israel's hostage deal concessions

'Only combination of military pressure and effective negotiations will bring release of captives,' PM says, as emerging details of potential agreement include releasing female soldiers and permitting civilians to return to northern Gaza
Following reports of cautious optimism among Israeli officials about a potential hostage deal framework, the War Cabinet is set to meet Saturday night to discuss and update members on the negotiation outline's principles as ground incursion into Rafah still looms.
<< Follow Ynetnews on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok >>
Read more:
On Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "We are working to achieve another outline for the release of our captives, as well as eliminating Hamas in Rafah. Therefore, I sent a delegation to Paris and will discuss tonight the next steps in the negotiations."
3 View gallery
נתניהו וסינוואר
נתניהו וסינוואר
Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas leader Sinwar
(Photo: Dana Kopel, Reuters)
Netanyahu stressed that Israel intends to operate in order to dismantle the remaining military capabilities of Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip city, which hosts over a million Palestinians displaced by fighting elsewhere in the seaside enclave.
"At the beginning of the week, the Cabinet will approve the operational plan for Rafah, including the evacuation of the civilian population from there. Only a combination of military pressure and effective negotiations will bring about the release of our captives, the elimination of Hamas, and the achievement of all war goals," he said.
3 View gallery
דוד דדי ברנע ראש המוסד בכנס השנתי של המכון למדיניות נגד טרור
דוד דדי ברנע ראש המוסד בכנס השנתי של המכון למדיניות נגד טרור
Mossad chief David Barnea to head negotiations
(Photo: Yariv Katz)
The Cabinet is expected to authorize Mossad Director David Barnea to progress negotiations with mediators, planning his departure for upcoming meetings. The locations of these meetings remain undecided.
The proposed outline's initial phase will reportedly focus on humanitarian releases, including 35 to 40 children, women, the elderly (over 60) and the sick (young patients included). Israel is pressing for the inclusion of female soldiers in the humanitarian phase.
3 View gallery
הפגנה להחזרת החטופים בכיכר החטופים, תל אביב
הפגנה להחזרת החטופים בכיכר החטופים, תל אביב
Protest to return the hostages home
(Photo: Dana Kopel)
In return, Israel will agree to a cease-fire lasting several weeks, without committing to end the war. Mediators aim to leverage this cease-fire for broader negotiations, intending to extend the current proposed truce. They hope to finalize the details within two weeks to implement the deal before Ramadan starts on March 10.
During negotiations, discussions will include IDF withdrawal lines and demands for allowing civilians to return from southern to northern Gaza. Israel is expected to show flexibility, possibly permitting the return of women and children to the north. As in the previous hostage deal, Hamas insists on Israel halting drone and aircraft operations over Gaza during the cease-fire.
Comments
The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
""