Israel is considering a settlement that involves deporting leaders of Hamas abroad
An Egyptian proposal for a phased ceasefire includes the release of detained Israelis
The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation “KAN” revealed on Monday that Israel is studying a settlement that entails deporting leaders of the Hamas movement abroad and granting them immunity, with the aim of ending the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip for over two months. Israeli officials confirmed that Egypt has put forward a proposal for a new agreement, including the release of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza in several stages.
The corporation stated, “Israel is exploring the possibility of deporting the Hamas leadership abroad as part of a settlement aimed at ending the war in the Gaza Strip.”
Quoting an Israeli source familiar with the details of the ongoing discussions, the corporation reported, “There is no concrete proposal on the table at this stage, but this possibility is under discussion.”
According to the source, the discussion on this matter is possible “provided it does not affect the goal set by the Israeli Mini-Cabinet for Security and Political Affairs (Cabinet), which is to eliminate the authoritative and military capabilities of the Hamas movement.”
The corporation did not disclose the names of the Hamas leaders to be deported or the expected destination country, but clarified that “while there are leaders of the Hamas movement in Gaza, there are also leaders in Qatar, Lebanon, and other countries.”
On Sunday evening, the broadcasting corporation began circulating news about the deportation of Hamas leaders in exchange for ending the war, marking a clear reduction in the Israeli objective, as the elimination of the movement and its leaders was initially a priority for the war.
Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir tweeted on Sunday evening, “With (Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya) Sinwar and (Hamas military wing leader Mohammed) Deif, there is one solution, and that is to eliminate them! Not deportation, not negotiation.”
The Israeli government has repeatedly stated that one of its goals in the war on Gaza is to eliminate Hamas leaders, including Sinwar and Deif, and offered financial rewards for information leading to their location and achievement of this goal.
Israeli officials stated on Sunday that “Egypt has made a proposal” to Tel Aviv and Hamas, including the release of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza in several stages.
The news site “Walla” quoted Israeli officials as saying that there is “an Egyptian proposal moving forward with a new agreement to release the hostages in several stages.”
The site quoted a senior Israeli official as saying, “Israel is still studying the Egyptian proposal, and the matter is scheduled to be discussed tomorrow (Monday) during the meeting of the War Cabinet. It is an initial proposal and is still not mature.”
He added, “But the mere submission of a proposal by Egypt is important and positive,” noting that “Cairo has significant leverage over Hamas, which may help it succeed in the proposal to release the Israeli hostages in Gaza.”
Hamas has repeatedly affirmed that there is no exchange deal with Israel before a complete ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the areas they entered within the sector.
Official and private Hebrew media outlets in recent days have reported negotiations between Israel and Hamas, under the auspices of Egypt and Qatar, regarding an agreement to exchange prisoners between the two parties.
Since October 7 last year, the Israeli army has been waging a devastating war on Gaza, resulting, until Sunday, in 20,424 killed, 54,036 wounded, most of them children and women, and massive destruction of infrastructure and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, according to Gaza authorities and the United Nations.
