Brig. Gen. Wiener told Erez Tadmor from "Im Tirzu" this morning: "It seemed that the pressure on Hamas was leading to a breakthrough and the achievement of an improved deal. In fact, Hamas, which was previously talking about 'nothing,' began to agree to eight or nine hostages.

But then Mohammed Sinwar (Yahya's brother and current Hamas leader), who apparently follows Israeli media religiously, saw the petitions and the calls to stop the war—and became convinced that all he needs to do is just hold out a little longer."

Erez: "How close do you think we were to a deal?"