Khaberni - Israeli Channel 12 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has summoned National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for an urgent meeting to discuss the situation following the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) response to President Donald Trump’s plan for a prisoner exchange and ceasefire in Gaza.
The families of Israeli prisoners expressed concerns that Ben-Gvir and Smotrich would try to obstruct the negotiations. In this regard, opposition leader Yair Lapid said this evening, Saturday, that these two ministers will not be able to derail Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza.
Lapid added in a post on the X platform: "In less than two hours, when Saturday ends (the weekly Jewish religious holiday) and you hear many threats from Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, remember that they have nothing to threaten with. We will not allow them to frustrate the deal."
He pointed out that an overwhelming majority in the Knesset and an overwhelming majority of the Israeli people support Trump’s deal, adding that this is what the majority wants now.
For his part, former War Council member Gadi Eisenkot stated, "This is the last chance to bring back the hostages, even if it requires difficult decisions."
In the same context, ABC Network reported, citing two knowledgeable sources, that Netanyahu is scheduled to discuss several issues in a security meeting this evening, including the list of Palestinian prisoners and options for military withdrawal maps from Gaza.
It also reported, citing a senior Israeli official, that halting the army's activity in Gaza aims to allow the start of operations to release prisoners, and that this does not constitute an official ceasefire or the beginning of a withdrawal but tactical adjustments to protect its forces, according to the official.
Yesterday evening, Hamas stated in a statement that it had submitted its response to Trump’s Gaza plan to the mediators, announcing its agreement to release all living and deceased Israeli prisoners under this plan.
Hamas also renewed its agreement to hand over the administration of the sector to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats) based on national Palestinian consensus, and based on Arab and Islamic support. However, it stressed that the future of the Gaza Strip and the rights of the people are discussed within a Palestinian framework.
Commenting on Hamas's response, the American president posted on his platform Truth Social, "Based on the statement issued by Hamas, I believe they are ready for lasting peace."
Trump added that "Israel must immediately stop bombing Gaza, so we can safely and quickly get the hostages (Israeli prisoners) out. Right now, it's very dangerous to do so."
However, his tone changed slightly today when he stated that "Hamas must act quickly otherwise all options are open," emphasizing that he will not tolerate any delays from Hamas, although the Israeli bombing on Gaza Strip has not stopped for a moment but has become more intense after his statements yesterday.
On this matter, Trump also said today that he appreciates Israel's bombing halt "temporarily to allow a chance to complete the hostage release process and peace agreement," adding that he will treat everyone fairly and "will not allow any delay or any outcome that poses Gaza as a renewed threat."
During a press conference with the American president last Monday, Netanyahu announced his support for Trump’s plan, considering it "achieves the Israeli objectives of the war."
Since October 7, 2023, with American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza, resulting in 67,074 martyrs and 169,430 injured, most of them children and women, and a famine that has claimed the lives of 459 Palestinians, including 154 children.
