Report: Netanyahu wants to extend phase one, secure more hostage releases in course of next month’s Ramadan

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds security consultations tonight on the future of the hostage-ceasefire deal, a Channel 12 report says Netanyahu wants to expedite the release of the six more living hostages who are currently scheduled for release on the coming two Saturdays.

Beyond that, the report says, the premier wants to extend the current first phase of the deal beyond the designated 42 days, which are set to end on March 1, and secure the freedom of more hostages as part of phase one, including more hostages Israel now knows are in poor health.

He wants Israel’s negotiators to explain to the Qatari and Egyptian mediators, with US support, that it’s also in the interests of Hamas to extend phase one since this would ensure the ceasefire remains in place for longer.

The prime minister is hoping to secure what the report says are being called “Ramadan releases” — additional phase one releases of hostages coinciding with next month’s Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Israel’s negotiators, however, are warning that unless Israel begins serious negotiations on phase two, which were required under the deal to start almost two weeks ago, it risks jeopardizing the rest of the scheduled phase one releases.

Participating in tonight’s consultations are Defense Minister Israel Katz, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, IDF Chief Herzi Halevi and his imminent successor Eyal Zamir, Mossad Chief David Barnea, Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar and IDF hostage talks negotiator Nitzan Alon.