Hamas: Netanyahu agreed to end the war after first phase of the deal is completed

Arabic media reported that Netanyauh's position shifted due to Trump's threats that a deal should be reached before he takes office, or there will be "hell to pay."

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF JANUARY 11, 2025 05:36

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Philadelphi corridor (illustrative). (photo credit: Canva, Chaim Goldberg/Flash90, Oren Cohen/Flash90)

Hamas sources told Al Araby Al Jadeed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to end the war following the completion of the first phase of a ceasefire deal.

Al Araby reported that there has been a "clear shift" in Netanyahu's position regarding "the process of completing the war after the first stage [of a ceasefire deal]."

The Al Araby Al Jaddeed article comes after KAN News reported that Qatar sent Israel "a positive message" regarding Hamas's intentions to move forward in negotiations on a hostage and ceasefire deal.

A source from Hamas told Al Araby that some of the changes were regarding agreements to postpone discussions on some contentious issues until later stages of the negotiations.

One of these issues was the removal of Israeli troops from the Philadelphi corridor, which runs along the Egyptian border.

Hamas terrorists in front of a Doha, Qatar skyline. (Illustrative) (credit: Canva, KIRBY LEE-USA TODAY SPORTS, REUTERS/IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA)

Hamas's suggestion to postpone these discussions was reportedly supported by Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediators. The Hamas source praised Eygpt's "flexibility" regarding this issue. 

Egypt believes Israeli control of the Gaza-Egypt border is a violation of the 1978 peace treaty. However, it has conceded to waiting to resolve this until after phase one of a ceasefire agreement.

A clear shift for Netanyahu

Al Araby reported that Netanyauh's position has shifted due to President-elect Donald Trump's threats that a deal should be reached before he takes office or that there will be "hell to pay."

An Egyptian source told Al Araby that the new proposal would implement the deal in three time periods rather than phases and involve negotiations on releasing the hostages after a two-week period.

Egyptian sources believe that disagreements between Netanyahu and the security establishment over the ability of the IDF to act in Gaza have also contributed to the shift.