Daijiworld Media Network - Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv, Jul 4: As negotiations over a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza continue, Israel is reportedly seeking written guarantees from US President Donald Trump that it can resume military operations if key demands are not fulfilled.
According to a report by Israel’s Channel 14, citing a senior political source, the ceasefire proposal includes a side letter from Trump allowing Israel to “renew the fire” should Hamas fail to meet conditions regarding disarmament and the exile of its top leadership. The interpretation of these terms would rest solely with Israel.
While President Trump has publicly stated that Israel has agreed to the truce terms, media reports from Israel suggest ongoing friction behind closed doors. “The Qataris and Egyptians, who have worked very hard to help bring peace, will deliver this final proposal,” Trump said earlier this week, expressing hope that the pause would lead to an end to the war.
However, sources say Israel remains wary. The last ceasefire collapsed in March when Israel resumed military action, a move widely seen as intentional by analysts who believed Tel Aviv was not interested in prolonging talks.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under pressure from hardline coalition partners, has continued to push for a complete defeat of Hamas. During a cabinet meeting Tuesday night, he reaffirmed, “We have to kill anyone who is holding a weapon.”
Israeli military analyst Amos Harel, writing in Haaretz, suggested Netanyahu may be trying to appear cooperative to the US, while still keeping Hamas under threat. For Hamas, the key demand remains an end to the war with US guarantees to prevent future Israeli offensives.
Meanwhile, Israeli reservist Amit Yagur told Channel 14 that Trump’s vision of a “new Middle East” is intensifying regional pressure, especially on Qatar, where several senior Hamas leaders reside.
As talks drag on, the future of the ceasefire remains uncertain, with both sides wary of the other’s intentions and regional players walking a tight diplomatic rope.