In the early afternoon, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that these moves were the initial stages of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, an offensive campaign aiming to seize the entire Gaza Strip quickly and with overwhelming force.
In addition, Katz said that soon after the operation began, “the Hamas delegation in Doha announced a return to negotiations on a hostage deal – contrasting with the obstinate position they had taken up until that moment.”
He stressed that this had occurred without Hamas demanding an immediate resumption of humanitarian aid or a preliminary ceasefire.
Hamas official Taher al-Nono then confirmed that negotiations with Israel were underway without “pre-conditions, ” while speaking with Reuters.
According to Katz, “The heroism of IDF soldiers, the unity of the people, and the determination of the political echelon increase the chance of the hostages being returned – this was the reality in the past, and also now.”
A separate Hamas source told the Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that negotiations were now being conducted based on the Witkoff proposal, which Israel had insisted upon for weeks, though with what the source described as “significant changes.”
The proposal reportedly envisions a two-month ceasefire, during which both sides would engage in negotiations toward a comprehensive end to the war, with American guarantees ensuring the agreement's implementation.
Walla News reported that the proposed deal could see the release of 10 out of the remaining 23 living hostages in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire.
In Israel, the sudden readiness to return to negotiations is widely viewed as a direct result of the intensified military operations in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed Israel's delegation to stay in Doha to continue the negotiations on Saturday evening, Channel 12 News reported, adding that Israeli officials expressed optimism about a possible breakthrough.
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