Lapid Offers Netanyahu ‘No Strings Attached’ Deal

Opposition leader Yair Lapid announced this Thursday morning that his Yesh Atid party will back any agreement to secure the release of Israeli hostages, pledging a “safety net” of 24 Knesset seats and insisting he will not demand political concessions in return.

“Netanyahu doesn’t have to give anything in exchange, just bring them home,” Lapid wrote on X, signaling that his faction would shield the government if far-right coalition partners follow through on threats to oppose or quit over the proposed truce.

The deal on the table, reportedly accepted by Hamas, includes a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and the release of 10 living hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu’s cabinet has not yet convened to debate the offer, while military leaders are simultaneously pushing plans for a full assault on Gaza City.

Pressure on the prime minister is mounting from both directions. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has vowed to resign if the deal proceeds, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir insists Netanyahu lacks the mandate to approve it. Both men have threatened coalition stability before.

At the same time, centrist opposition leader Benny Gantz is weighing whether to bring his Blue and White–National Unity party into government specifically to back a hostage deal, a move that could secure a parliamentary majority even without far-right support.

Surveys indicate that a majority of Israelis favor an agreement to return the hostages and end the fighting, leaving Netanyahu caught between coalition partners demanding escalation and a public demanding resolution.