Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has postponed the decision on what his country’s troops will do in Gaza if Hamas does not agree to the ceasefire agreement.
Sources say there is no longer a decision this week.
This is about a favorable course of action in the enclave amid internal disagreements of the Israeli government.
If extremist groups disagree with the deal, one idea on the table is to surround Gaza city and other population centres, but another idea is to “conquer” the city, sources said. Different ministers support the different plans, the source added.
On Thursday, Israeli officials said Israel and the US are shaping new understandings about Gaza as Hamas reportedly withdraws from negotiations on ceasefire and hostage trade.
“At the same time, Israel and the United States will work to increase humanitarian aid while continuing its military operations in Gaza,” the official added.
This change occurs as Hamas was released from ceasefire and hostage negotiations, according to two sources familiar with the issue.
Hamas’ departure The US and Israel are pulling delegations from their talks in Doha, Qatar. Despite the move, a senior Israeli official told CNN that if Hamas changes its position, he is ready to return to Doha.
On Thursday, Hamas said it is working on negotiations for a permanent ceasefire and ongoing negotiations towards a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, but the terms of the enclave will need to be improved “significantly” first.
Peace negotiations occur in the devastating humanitarian situation of Gaza, where many people are hungry.
All 2.1 million people in Gaza are food insecurity without reliable access to well-appointed, nutritious, healthy foods, the United Nations said this week. According to the Enclave’s Health Ministry, 900,000 children are hungry and show signs of malnutrition in 70,000 people.
“It is essential to significantly improve the catastrophic humanitarian situation and get written responses from our enemies regarding our response,” Basmem Naim, a senior member of Hamas Politics Bureau, told CNN. “This is a condition for us to return to negotiations.”
In another statement, Hamas said, “We are ready to immediately participate in negotiations upon the arrival of aid to those in need, once again and end the humanitarian crisis and hunger in Gaza.”
The statement added that “continuous negotiations under the terms of starvation will lose their substance and effectiveness.”
CNN previously reported that Hamas is considering strengthening its position in negotiations. Hamas official Mahmoud Maldawi said on Wednesday there was no point in continuing to engage in negotiations as long as Gaza’s starvation crisis continues.
