Ahead of a decisive Cabinet meeting, senior defense officials are pressing Netanyahu’s government to seize a Hamas-backed hostage deal over a risky Gaza takeover, warning lives hang in the balance.
A storm is brewing inside Israel’s security establishment as senior defense officials prepare to confront the Cabinet on Sunday, demanding that the government prioritize a hostage deal over its planned military takeover of Gaza, according to a Channel 12 report Friday evening.
“Living hostages could have been home last week,” one senior official warned, blasting the delay. “There is a deal on the table that Israel itself fought for. We must take it, bring back living hostages, and use the ceasefire to end the fighting.”
Defense chiefs argue that betting on Hamas’s surrender through an invasion is a “reckless gamble at the expense of hostages’ and soldiers’ lives.”
The deal in question is based on the Witkoff framework, Israel’s long-standing demand. It would see 10 hostages freed within two months of a ceasefire. While Hamas agreed last week, the Cabinet instead approved plans for a full Gaza takeover and has insisted on pursuing a broader agreement.
According to Channel 12, during Sunday’s Cabinet session, all defense officials — including National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi — plan to back the IDF Chief of Staff in calling for the deal’s approval.
Adding to the frustration, Israel has not yet responded to Hamas’s written proposal received two weeks ago. Defense leaders expressed shock that a framework endorsed by Israel and signed by Netanyahu six months ago has not even been formally discussed.
They warn that unless the government acts, Israel risks plunging into a high-stakes, bloody Gaza operation while missing a rare opportunity to bring hostages home alive.
