With a ceasefire set to take effect this Sunday, the IDF is poised to transition from an offensive posture to a defensive strategy in Gaza. As part of the agreement, Israel has committed to withdrawing its forces from the Gaza Strip, a move accompanied by a shift in military operations. The Prime Minister’s Office has denied reports suggesting that Israel will relinquish control of the Philadelphi Corridor, a key smuggling route utilized by Hamas.
If the accord holds, the IDF is expected to redeploy, with two divisions tasked with securing the northern and southern sections of the Strip. The primary objective of this redeployment will be to protect Israeli communities along the border and prevent incursions by terrorists, while ensuring adherence to the ceasefire agreement.
In Judea and Samaria, Israeli forces are likely to intensify operations in northern Samaria’s terrorist strongholds. Analysts warn that the release of Arab terrorists, a component of the deal, may fuel tensions and embolden extremist factions, potentially triggering an uptick in counter-terrorism activity.
As reported by Reuters, the agreement includes a prisoner exchange, with Israel set to release 30 detained terrorists for every Israeli hostage freed, and 50 for each female captive. Among those slated for release are detainees under 19 years old, detained after the events of October 7. The final number of prisoners freed hinges on the total number of hostages released, with estimates ranging from 990 to 1,650.
Of the 33 Israeli hostages to be released in the first phase, only around 22 or 23 are believed to still be alive. The remaining 64 or 65 Israeli hostages will have to wait, assuming they are still alive.
Meanwhile, Israel’s negotiating team remains in Doha, Qatar, finalizing the list of terrorists to be released. The team is expected to return only once these details are resolved, leading to a delay in the cabinet meeting initially scheduled for Thursday morning.
The Prime Minister’s Office disclosed that during a briefing with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the negotiating team reported last-minute efforts by Hamas to renegotiate the terms of the May 27 agreement. Hamas is reportedly seeking control over the selection of released detainees, despite a clause granting Israel veto power over the release of mass murderers identified as symbols of terror.
After completely capitulating to nearly every other demand, Netanyahu instructed the team to adhere to the original agreement and firmly reject what he characterized as Hamas’s “last-minute blackmail attempts.”
