Report: Israeli Security Agency Leaders Insist on a Deal and Will Support Zamir in the Cabinet Session

SadaNews - Israeli security agency leaders intend to demand, during the crucial cabinet session regarding the occupation of Gaza City scheduled for the upcoming Sunday, a move towards concluding a prisoner exchange deal; according to Israeli Channel 12.

Channel 12 quoted a security official saying, "It was possible for the hostages to return alive to their homes last week," adding, "There is a deal on the table that Israel fought for. It must be accepted to recover the hostages and utilize the ceasefire to reach a conclusion to the fighting."

He pointed out that "any other decision, especially the assumption that Hamas will surrender if we enter (Gaza City), is a dangerous gamble at the expense of the lives of the hostages and soldiers."

Israeli security agency leaders support the deal that Hamas accepted last week according to the proposal from the American envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, which is the same one requested by Tel Aviv that stipulates the release of 10 prisoners from Gaza in exchange for a two-month ceasefire. However, the cabinet decided instead to occupy Gaza City and is now insisting on a comprehensive deal.

Channel 12 reported that all security agency leaders, including National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, intend to stand united behind the stance of Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir towards a deal. At the same time, they express their astonishment that there is a proposal that Israel itself accepted and which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed six months ago, yet it has not been discussed or responded to so far.

They affirmed that Israel must accept this deal and must not gamble on entering Gaza City; as they put it.

Channel 12 previously reported that there is an increasing marginalization by Netanyahu and Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer of the security agencies and the small cabinet, while senior officials said that "despite the public statements regarding Gaza, they are not participating in the actual sessions about the plans, and decisions are made away from them," noting that "this feeling is the main source of tension between the political level and the security agencies."

Senior security sources stated that "the source of the disagreement between the Chief of Staff and the Prime Minister and between security sources and the political level is not only about differing visions regarding the plan to occupy Gaza City or about the proposal for the deal, but also that the feeling they are receiving from Netanyahu is that of marginalization. The Prime Minister does not update us on plans that go beyond public statements regarding Gaza."

Additionally, the security agencies are closely following the ongoing sessions in Washington, during which Dermer is conducting talks on behalf of Netanyahu regarding the prisoner exchange deal and the day after the end of the war on Gaza, and they expressed their concern that these discussions may continue for a long time, warning that the hostages do not have the time to wait for political decisions; according to Channel 12.

Israel Will Stop Dropping Aid on Gaza City in the Coming Days

Israel intends to cease aerial deliveries of humanitarian aid to Gaza City in the near future and to reduce the entry of aid into northern Gaza; according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority "Kan 11" on Friday evening.

This comes as a pressure tactic from Israel to evacuate more than 800,000 Palestinians from Gaza City and force them to displace southward in preparation for its occupation.

Earlier, the Israeli army announced that as of 10 AM on Friday, what it termed the "local tactical ceasefire" in Gaza City would not take effect, describing it as a "dangerous combat area," according to directives from the political level.