Netanyahu trades barbs with Gantz, Eisenkot over proposal to renew hostage talks — report

The war cabinet last night reviewed a proposal to renew negotiations to secure a deal to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza that includes an “extended ceasefire” as part of the second phase, Channel 12 reports.

According to the report, the proposal was put forward by IDF hostage point man Nitzan Alon, a central member of the Israeli negotiating team, and supported by Defense Minster Yoav Gallant and war cabinet ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot.

During the meeting, Gantz is quoted as saying to Netanyahu, “I’m looking at you while the negotiating team is talking. I see your facial expressions and your body language, and it’s clear that you’re not satisfied with their work. If that’s the case, replace them. Bring in someone you trust.”

According to the report, the prime minister replied that he is “not willing to take any proposal that would lead to ending the war.”

Eisenkot reportedly retorted, “No one here wants to stop the war, but your position doesn’t allow for the return of hostages. You’re leaving the team no room to reach a deal.”

The most recent round of hostage talks disbanded earlier this month and negotiations have yet to reconvene, with the sides unable to bridge the gap on the fundamental issue in the talks: Hamas is looking for a hostage deal that permanently ends the war triggered by its October 7 onslaught, while Israel is only willing to agree to a temporary ceasefire, as it aims to finish dismantling the terror group.

The report comes after Gantz last night issued an ultimatum to Netanyahu, demanding that he commit to an agreed-upon vision for the Gaza conflict that would include stipulating who might rule the territory after Hamas’s defeat, and warning that he would bolt the coalition should this not happen.