GNITN - Special Edition

Israel At War – Day 138

Icy Hostage Deal Thawing

Hamas Softens Stance

Current signs are pointing to the chance a hostage deal could actually form as we read in an article from i24news.tv:

Addressing reporters in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz provided an update on the ongoing negotiations for the release of hostages held since the October 7 attack, stating, "There are early signs that suggest progress."

Gantz expressed cautious optimism about the possibility of reaching a new agreement for their release.

Gantz reassured those listening they fully intend to rescue the hostages:

Gantz reiterated Israel's unwavering commitment to bringing the hostages home, asserting, "We will not neglect any opportunity to bring the [hostages] home." He emphasized that no effort will be spared in ensuring the safe return of the captives.

His remarks come after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision not to send an Israeli delegation to resume talks in Cairo last week, which caused frustration among members of the security cabinet, including Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot of the Blue and White party.

The report goes on to tell us that hope is rising:

Reports indicate that Israel is preparing to participate in a high-level summit in Paris on Friday, aimed at advancing efforts to secure a comprehensive hostage deal.

In a separate report from The Jerusalem Post the cause for even small optimism is that “Hamas has "softened its positions" in the negotiations for a hostage deal, Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported on Wednesday, citing diplomatic sources.”

Pump The Brakes On A Deal

In another article from i24new.tv talk of Hamas changing its stance for another hostage deal is seen as more talk than reality:

Hostage and ceasefire negotiations heated up on Wednesday morning, with reports on an Israeli delegation being sent to Cairo for talks with mediators, as well as a potential new summit in Paris to outline a framework.

An Israeli official involved in the negotiations for a hostage release deal told i24NEWS, "unless something significant has changed since last night to this morning I would be very cautious (about a breakthrough). If we await a softening of Hamas' stance, I don't believe we are there yet."

The hints that Hamas is pulling back on its demands are not to be trusted according to this Israeli official:

Asked by i24NEWS if there is any reason for optimism expressed by Egypt he replied, "I'm completely unsure.” A report by Asharq Al-Awsat indicated a delegation from Israel was set to arrive in Cairo on Wednesday, writing that "progress has been made in discussions between Egypt and Hamas regarding the agreement."

The Israeli official estimated that Israel will send a delegation to Cairo - as it "looks to do everything possible to reach a deal", but said demands were presented that in the latest talks which Israel could not agree to, furthermore it did not pass through Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar.

"We must be cautious, Egypt has an interest in presenting a positive display of advancement in talks,” the Israeli official speaking to i24NEWS concluded.

Hezbollah Wants Hamas To Lower Demands

Hezbollah is said to be pressuring Hamas leadership to be “flexible as seen in a report from The Jerusalem Post:

Hamas is reportedly being pressured by Hezbollah and mediators to drop high demands from Israel in a possible deal, Arab affairs commentator Jacky Hugi said in a Wednesday interview with Army Radio.

"Hamas is under pressure from home and abroad: one of them is Hezbollah," he said. "In recent weeks, [its Secreary-General Hassan] Nasrallah and his men have asked Hamas to consolidate and claimed that their demand to release hundreds of prisoners with blood on their hands is unrealistic, and Israel would not be able to comply with it even if it really wanted to.

Hezbollah wants to end their part in this war:

"Be practical," Hugi said: "Hezbollah, for their part, think that they have exhausted this war, but they cannot stop their initiative. Nasrallah said from the very first stage: 'We are fighting here to help the Gaza Strip in weakening the Israeli army, make it more difficult for them, and to increase the pressure on the government.'

"Everything that happens from here on is already dangerous for them; they caused Israel to evacuate the population, took a toll on human lives, attacked bases, and tied forces to the northern border. All of these are achievements for them, but they are satisfied with them, and they said to [Hamas' political leader Ismail] Haniyeh that his approach 'is not realistic; you need to be flexible,'" Hugi said in conclusion.

And so we wait until sure signs of an agreement can be reached. In the meantime, Hamas will see more and more attacks on its positions in Gaza. And unless a deal can be brokered, Rafah is next in line for IDF pressure.

“Their Fate Is Sealed”

Soldiers in the IDF believe the future for Hamas isn’t looking good as we go to a report in The Jerusalem Post:

The IDF’s 646th Reserve Brigade, during its operations over the past months, destroyed a “strategic” subterranean Hamas tunnel route that ran from northern to southern Gaza, the IDF stated on Tuesday.

The IDF has been conducting extensive work in the tunnels beneath Gaza in recent weeks. On Monday, the IDF published footage recovered from a tunnel showing footage of the kidnapping of the Bibas family. The footage was dated to the early days of the war.

According to the lead officer of this brigade, their work is done:

The brigade completed its mission in Gaza last week, the IDF noted.

Following the completion of its activities, the commanding officer of the 646th Reserve Brigade, Colonel Elad Shushan, stated, "We reached every hideout above and below ground in the Gaza Strip, and today, the terrorists know that there is no safe hiding place and that their fate is sealed.”

Now let’s find those hostages and get them home. That’s what I’m praying for.