Israel's conditions include Hamas disarming, the demilitarization of Gaza, Israeli control of the perimeter and a governing authority "that will live in peace with Israel."
(Aug. 17, 2025 / JNS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday night announced his support for an agreement with Hamas to end the war in Gaza, but only if it meant the release of all the remaining hostages.
“We will agree to an agreement in which all the hostages are released at once and according to our conditions for ending the war, which include the disarmament of Hamas, the demilitarization of the Strip, Israeli control of the perimeter, and the establishment of a governing authority that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority, and that will live in peace with Israel,” the premier said, according to his office.
His comments came after Netanyahu’s adviser reportedly did not rule out a partial deal. Israel’s Channel 12 News also reported on Saturday that the Israeli negotiating team has told the political echelon that there have been changes in Hamas’s position over the past week that could allow for the terrorist group to return to negotiations on a phased deal based on the outline proposed by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.