{"id":20375,"date":"2025-07-16T20:13:35","date_gmt":"2025-07-16T20:13:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.watanserb.com\/en\/?p=20375"},"modified":"2025-07-16T20:13:35","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T20:13:35","slug":"israel-shows-flexibility-in-gaza-ceasefire-talks-but-netanyahu-plans-to-resume-war-after-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.watanserb.com\/en\/2025\/07\/16\/israel-shows-flexibility-in-gaza-ceasefire-talks-but-netanyahu-plans-to-resume-war-after-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel Shows Flexibility in Gaza Ceasefire Talks\u2014but Netanyahu Plans to Resume War After Deal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Watan<\/strong><\/em>-On Tuesday evening, Israeli Channel 13 reported that notable progress had been made in Doha-hosted negotiations toward reaching a prisoner exchange and ceasefire deal in Gaza. According to sources familiar with the talks, Israel has shown new flexibility, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is deeply interested in reaching a deal\u2014but only as a temporary step before resuming the war.<\/p>\n

The report noted that Israel\u2019s Security Cabinet has agreed to greater flexibility regarding the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza and is moving closer to Hamas\u2019s position on the issue of military presence, which has helped facilitate the recent progress.<\/p>\n

However, unnamed Israeli officials clarified that any withdrawal would only last for 60 days, after which Israel intends to resume combat operations. One official said:\u201cThe flexibility we\u2019ve shown paves the way for an agreement, but Netanyahu clearly doesn\u2019t intend to end the war.\u201d<\/p>\n

Separately, Israel\u2019s Ynet news website confirmed that the Israeli Security Cabinet met Tuesday to discuss the ongoing negotiations and revealed that talks in Doha have advanced on the most contentious issue: the military withdrawal maps from Gaza.<\/p>\n

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Israeli war crimes in Gaza<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Israel reportedly submitted new withdrawal maps to the mediators, but final agreements have yet to be reached. Negotiations are expected to continue for several more days.<\/p>\n

Officials familiar with the talks told Ynet:\u201cThere is significant progress, but no breakthrough yet. Netanyahu has given his negotiation team broader authority to make decisions during the talks in order to reach a deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier this week, Channel 13 cited a senior Israeli minister who expressed optimism:\u201cNetanyahu is leaning toward a deal in the coming days.\u201d<\/p>\n

In an attempt to bridge differences, Israel submitted new maps outlining a phased withdrawal of its forces from Gaza as part of a 60-day ceasefire plan. According to the report, the gap between Israel and Hamas over territorial and security arrangements is narrowing due to intense negotiations.<\/p>\n

Military Developments That May Complicate Talks<\/h3>\n

Despite the diplomatic progress, the Israeli military announced Wednesday the creation of a new military axis in southern Gaza that effectively splits Khan Younis into east and west. This move could jeopardize the emerging deal, analysts say.<\/p>\n

The Israeli army\u2019s statement claimed that:\u201cIn recent weeks, the 36th Division has operated in the Khan Younis area to destroy terrorist infrastructure and eliminate operatives. The 188th and Golani Brigades have completed the opening of the \u2018Magen Oz\u2019 corridor, which stretches about 15 km and is central to pressuring Hamas.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the army, this new corridor aims to solidify Israeli control and defeat Hamas’s Khan Younis Brigade. The operation reportedly involved killing dozens of fighters and destroying weapons caches and underground tunnels.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis axis is part of broader efforts by the Southern Command to maintain pressure on Hamas and secure Israeli civilians, particularly around Gaza,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n

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Hamas resistance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n