Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is standing firm on his position that any agreement with Hamas must secure the release of all remaining hostages, rejecting proposals for partial deals.
The stance has received public backing from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who argues that Hamas will only come to the table if Israel maintains strong military pressure. “You have to keep the heat on them,” Trump reportedly said, emphasizing his belief that force is the only way to compel negotiations.
Critics, however, warn that this approach could have dangerous consequences. Humanitarian groups fear that prolonging talks may endanger hostages who are already in critical condition, deepen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, and put additional Israeli soldiers at risk.
Mediators involved in the talks caution that waiting for a comprehensive agreement could take months — time that many hostages may not have. Despite the warnings, Netanyahu’s office has reiterated that the government will not settle for anything less than the return of every captive.
