From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Aide to PM: Trump’s proposal will help get hostages out of Gaza
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
US President Donald Trump’s proposal for the evacuation of Gaza’s civilians will help get hostages out of Hamas captivity, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s entourage argues to Channel 12 news.
“Trump’s words add a psychological element into the negotiations that wasn’t there until now,” the official says.
“It’s a ‘hold me back,’ which we don’t know will actually take place. But it at least accelerates the negotiations for extending the first phase of the deal, to free more hostages and extend the ceasefire.”
An Israeli official told The Times of Israel earlier this week that Israel expects Hamas to try to extend the first phase of the deal until it figures out how to handle Trump’s pressure and positions.
