Security chiefs said to agree Israel can stand to leave Gaza for 6 weeks if deal reached

All of the country’s top security chiefs are in agreement that if a truce and hostages-for-prisoners deal is reached with Hamas, the IDF can stand to fully withdraw from the Gaza Strip for the first six weeks of a potential deal, the Kan public broadcaster reports.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Mossad Director David Barnea, and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar have all reportedly told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that they support such a deal, arguing that the relatively short period of time would not allow Hamas to regroup and rearm in a significant manner.

“We are aware of the security ramifications, but this is the time to prioritize releasing the hostages, whose time is limited,” the four have told the premier, the report says, adding that their position brings into account issues such as control of the Philadelphi Corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border, and the return of Gazans and terror operatives to the Strip’s north.

Channel 12 news reports similar details, saying Netanyahu pushed back against the security chiefs’ flexibility during a long discussion yesterday.

Halevi reportedly told the premier: “We will know how to create all the flexibility needed to honor the terms of the deal. This is the time to combine the military pressure and the negotiations and see how to move forward [to a deal].”

The network says Netanyahu did not give in on his demands, and so they appear in the response that Israel will convey to the mediators as talks are renewed on Thursday, even though there is a possibility that Hamas will therefore say no.

As things stand, the delegation to resume talks is expected to be at a working team level — without senior officials — though that could change, the report says.