From the Liveblog of
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Official: Israel, US now aligning on comprehensive Gaza plan, including release of all hostages, not partial ceasefire
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleNava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.
As negotiations with Hamas stall, Israel and the United States are now aligned on aiming for a comprehensive framework in place of a partial ceasefire and hostage-release deal, an unnamed senior Israeli official tells Hebrew media outlets.
“There is an emerging understanding between Israel and the United States that, in light of Hamas’s refusal, we must shift from a framework for the release of some of the hostages to a framework for the release of all the hostages, the disarmament of Hamas, and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip,” the official is quoted as saying.
“There will be no more partial deals,” they add.
“At the same time,” the source is quoted as saying, “Israel and the US will work to increase the humanitarian aid, while continuing the fighting in Gaza.”
“There is a breakdown in contacts. Hamas has cut off communication,” the official adds. “There is no one to talk to on the other side. This is also [US special envoy] Witkoff’s understanding.”
The official also notes that Jerusalem and Washington will work to increase humanitarian aid while continuing the fighting in Gaza.
The Times of Israel Community.