Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reassured Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday that negotiations on the second phase of the hostage deal will not proceed without approval from the political and security cabinet.
During the cabinet meeting that approved the initial deal with Hamas weeks ago, a clause was added at the request of Minister Smotrich and the Religious Zionist Party, stipulating that any discussions on the second phase would require cabinet approval. This clause effectively served as a condition for Religious Zionism’s continued participation in the government.
Following this, the Prime Minister’s Office clarified that the negotiating delegation departing for Cairo on Monday would not be authorized to begin discussions on the second phase of the deal until it receives approval from the Cabinet, which is expected to convene Monday night.
On Sunday, Kan 11 reported, citing Israeli sources, that discussions were underway to hold a summit in Qatar next week on the second phase of the deal. However, the sources stressed that this would depend on a decision by Netanyahu and the cabinet on whether to authorize the senior delegation to travel to Doha and what mandate to grant it.
Meanwhile, a senior political source told Channel 14 on Sunday night that there would be no second phase of the deal. However, an extension of the first phase remains a possibility to secure the release of additional hostages in exchange for more terrorist prisoners and an extended ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza.
The source also indicated that Israel believes Hamas is unlikely to accept its terms for a second phase, which could ultimately lead to the collapse of the negotiations. This assessment may explain why, despite President Donald Trump’s explicit warning last week about severe consequences should Hamas not release all the hostages at once last Saturday, Israel has opted not to resume military operations for now.
At the same time, Hamas warned the mediating countries, Qatar, Egypt, and the US, that it would not proceed with the next phase of the hostage release scheduled for Saturday. The terror group is reportedly considering delaying the announcement until closer to the agreed release date, rather than making it at the start of the week as it did before.
Hamas accuses Israel of violating the agreement, citing delays in the transfer of caravans and heavy equipment from Egypt. However, its primary concern appears to be the lack of progress in negotiations for the second phase of the deal.
