Defense Sources: Another Month of Fighting Needed Before New Hostage Deal

Almost a month since the ground maneuvers started, sources in the defense establishment assess (Wednesday) that the ground fighting will continue for at least another month until another opportunity is opened for a hostage deal, according to Army Radio reporter Doron Kadosh. Per his report, this is a period of time creating military pressure allowing for negotiations under better conditions.

Earlier today, it was reported on CNN last night (between Tuesday and Wednesday) that senior officials in the American government believe that Israel has a shorter window of opportunity for fighting in Gaza, and that the cease fire is a matter of weeks and not months.

According to the report, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made it clear to their Israeli counterparts that the erosion of support for Israel in the administration will have a “destructive result” for the Israeli military operation against Hamas.

It was also argued behind closed doors that senior officials in the administration believe Israel has a very limited time frame to achieve its goals in fighting Hamas before the rage at the enormous humanitarian cost for the Strip’s residents lead calls for a ceasefire to reach a “watershed.”