Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to Israel on Friday without finalizing a truce with Hamas in Gaza, following discussions in Washington with American officials, including President Trump, that left key issues unresolved.
The outcome of the war in the Gaza Strip remains uncertain, as mediators from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar have yet to reach compromises regarding the duration of a truce, the extent of any Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas, and the distribution of aid during a cease-fire.
Prior to his departure, Netanyahu expressed that he is aiming for a two-month truce in which Hamas would release half of the approximately 50 hostages currently held in Gaza, including the living and deceased. However, he acknowledged significant obstacles that continue to hinder an agreement.
Netanyahu did not guarantee that a temporary truce would transition into a permanent arrangement, which is one of Hamas’s longstanding requests. He stated that Hamas must relinquish its weapons before any discussions regarding the end of the war could occur.
He emphasized that any ceasefire negotiations must meet “minimal conditions,” including the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza, asserting that the group should not maintain any governing or military capabilities.
Hamas officials quickly dismissed these conditions, with senior official Basem Naim asserting that disarmament would “never” be included in negotiations, casting doubt on the future of the discussions.
Another significant point of contention is the extent to which Israeli soldiers in Gaza would withdraw during any truce. Hamas insists on a complete Israeli withdrawal, while Israel seeks to maintain control over strategic areas.
Reports from local media indicated that Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz briefed journalists on a proposal to keep troops in a significant portion of southern Gaza, potentially transforming it into a de facto displacement camp for the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced within the territory.
Israeli and Western officials confirmed being informed about the plan, although there were no indications of its implementation. While some Israeli media labeled the area a “humanitarian city,” critics have drawn comparisons to a modern-day “concentration camp,” as residents would reportedly be unable to return to the northern regions. A spokesperson for Katz declined to comment.
As negotiations stalled, violence in Gaza escalated on Friday, with reports of an Israeli strike hitting a former school in Jabaliya, which now serves as a shelter for displaced individuals. According to Fares Afaneh, a rescue official, the Gaza health ministry did not provide a death toll, but local emergency services reported nine fatalities.
The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted a significant Hamas militant located at a command center within the shelter, frequently justifying such strikes on the grounds that militants use civilian sites as cover.
The Gaza health ministry announced that hospitals in the territory are running low on fuel, forcing some services, including kidney dialysis, to be suspended.
Additional reporting contributed by individuals in London, Doha, Qatar, and Tel Aviv.