Report: Security cabinet won’t discuss hostage deal offer in meeting tomorrow, despite pressure from security chiefs

The phased hostage release and ceasefire deal proposal that has been put to Israel won’t be discussed during tomorrow’s security cabinet meeting, Channel 12 reports, citing an unnamed official familiar with the details.

The deal in question, crafted by Egypt and Qatar and approved by Hamas on August 18, envisions the release of 10 hostages along with the bodies of 18 slain captives in five batches over a 60-day ceasefire, during which the sides will hold talks on the terms of the release of the remaining hostages and a permanent end to the war.

The government has yet to formally discuss the proposed deal, and despite it being nearly identical to an offer crafted by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and approved by Jerusalem only last month, it has signaled that it has no interest in pursuing it, preferring instead to push forward with a plan to capture and control Gaza City.

According to Channel 12, Israel’s defense chiefs are opposed to the decision to exclude the proposal from the agenda of tomorrow’s cabinet meeting, and are demanding to know why the government is so adamant on not even bringing the offer to a discussion.

The outlet cites an unnamed security official as saying that the cabinet has decided that taking control of Gaza, destroying Hamas, and a comprehensive hostage deal “is the only option.”

It notes, however, that the cabinet made this decision before Hamas said it would agree to the phased truce agreement, and has not readjusted its mindset since.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum says in response to the reports that this decision is “further proof that the Netanyahu government is turning to perpetual war and sacrificing the hostages, completely against the will of the people.”