Netanyahu reaffirms red lines as Israel, U.S. push hostage deal framework with Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed Israel’s strict negotiating parameters ahead of renewed talks over a Gaza hostage deal, while intensifying coordination with U.S. officials to pressure Hamas. According to journalist Daphna Liel, Netanyahu updated faction leaders and made clear that negotiations would proceed only within the “Witkoff framework” a plan that includes a ceasefire limited to 40 days in exchange for the release of hostages. Netanyahu emphasized there is opposition within Israel’s leadership to granting any further guarantees for a complete end to the war.

Amid these developments, Israeli journalist Yaron Avraham revealed a warning issued last week by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir during a closed-door discussion. Two Israeli officials disclosed that concern arose over Hamas’s lack of progress toward a hostage deal. In the meeting, Zamir stated: “We need to be alert that they aren’t pulling some trick we don’t know about ahead of Trump’s visit.”

Although the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit declined to comment on Zamir’s quote, sources clarified that the remark was not a critique of the United States. Rather, it reflected an assessment that diplomatic maneuvering might occur ahead of President Donald Trump’s trip to the Middle East. Specifically, Israeli officials suspected the possibility of a bilateral deal between the U.S. and Hamas, what one source termed "America First: Hostages edition."

On Monday, Israeli sources confirmed that the ultimatum issued to Hamas regarding its acceptance of the Witkoff framework remains valid until the conclusion of Trump’s regional visit. The clarification followed a high-level meeting between Netanyahu, U.S. envoy Bill Witkoff, and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, which also included a phone call between Netanyahu and President Trump.

“The deadline for Hamas to accept the Witkoff framework, which includes the release of 10 hostages in exchange for several weeks of a ceasefire, remains valid until the end of Trump’s visit to the region,” an Israeli source told The Jerusalem Post.

The source emphasized that the Trump administration is fully aligned with Israel’s stance. “The Americans see eye to eye with us. They understand that Hamas must be destroyed,” the source added. Ambassador Huckabee echoed this sentiment in a post on X, writing: “Forget rumors. We’re all on same page.”

In parallel, Israeli officials are actively pursuing all viable avenues for a deal. A delegation led by “M,” a former deputy head of the Shin Bet, is being dispatched to Qatar for further negotiations. “The prime minister made it clear that negotiations will only take place under fire,” read an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

During their phone conversation, Netanyahu also thanked President Trump for his role in securing the release of IDF soldier Edan Alexander from Hamas captivity after over 18 months. Trump reaffirmed his strong support for Israel and expressed his desire to maintain close cooperation with Netanyahu moving forward.

Israeli officials stressed that Alexander’s release was driven solely by Hamas’s fear of an imminent Israeli military assault.

“We hope that this release, combined with the ‘herd of elephants’ heading toward Gaza,” referring to the planned widened operation, “and the fact that Trump is in the region, will lead to additional deals,” the Israeli source told The Jerusalem Post.

The source concluded with a clear warning: “Hamas will not stall us. Negotiations will proceed under fire, and if Hamas does not agree to the Witkoff framework, the ‘Gideon’s Chariots’ operation will not be delayed.”