Egypt Daily News – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that Israel is prepared to unilaterally annex parts of the Gaza Strip if ongoing negotiations with Hamas fail to yield progress within a set timeframe. The warning marks a significant escalation in rhetoric and policy direction as political and military tensions continue to intensify.
According to a report by Israel’s Walla news site, the Israeli security cabinet met Monday evening and agreed to offer what was described as a “final opportunity” to reach a deal with Hamas. Netanyahu reportedly made it clear that Israel will not wait indefinitely for a response. Instead, a specific deadline will be imposed for Hamas to agree to the Israeli-proposed framework that has been on the table for two weeks.
“If we do not receive a positive response from Hamas within the designated time, we will begin implementing a plan to annex territory in Gaza,” Netanyahu was quoted as saying. The plan also includes the establishment of a special administrative body to oversee civilian and security affairs in any annexed areas.
Despite the firm language, political leaders believe there is still a realistic chance for an agreement. However, the window appears to be closing rapidly.
In a sign of growing impatience, both Israel and the United States recently pulled their delegations from ongoing hostage negotiations in Doha. The move was seen as a signal that alternative strategies—including military pressure—were being considered. However, Washington has since moderated its position and confirmed that talks with Hamas have resumed.
Meanwhile, military preparations on the ground continue. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli official said Netanyahu is prepared to resume full-scale military operations in Gaza immediately after any potential ceasefire expires. The official added that Netanyahu would not hesitate to break any truce if Hamas is seen as violating the terms, suggesting a fragile and potentially short-lived calm even in the event of a temporary agreement.
Adding to the hawkish tone, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar rejected mounting international pressure for a permanent ceasefire. Speaking at a press conference, Sa’ar argued that military pressure had twice succeeded in pushing Hamas toward negotiations over hostages, while diplomatic pressure from abroad has only hindered peace efforts and benefited Hamas.
On the diplomatic front, Israel has dispatched two of Netanyahu’s top aides Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi to Washington for high-level talks. The American news outlet Axios reported that the officials are scheduled to meet with senior U.S. representatives, including special envoy Steve Witkoff, to coordinate policies on both Gaza and Iran. These meetings come after the U.S. and Israel withdrew their teams from the Qatar-hosted talks, underscoring the seriousness of the current deadlock.
While government officials maneuver behind closed doors, public pressure continues to build inside Israel. Families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza accused the government of squandering multiple opportunities to secure their loved ones’ release. In a strongly worded statement, they accused Knesset members of abandoning the captives and warned that the “moral collapse” taking place in Gaza would leave a lasting stain on Israeli society for generations.
Former Israeli Consul General to the U.S., Yaki Dayan, added his voice to the growing chorus calling for an end to the conflict. Speaking to Maariv, Dayan urged the Israeli leadership to move swiftly toward de-escalation. He claimed that while the U.S. still supports Israel, even former President Donald Trump, known for his staunch pro-Israel stance has reportedly grown weary of the prolonged conflict.
International mediators have recently proposed a revised framework for a prisoner exchange and a phased ceasefire. The American-backed plan envisions a 60-day truce as a first step toward a permanent cessation of hostilities. However, Israel had previously abandoned a ceasefire agreement in March that had been in place since January, reigniting military operations that have resulted in devastating losses.
Since the resumption of hostilities earlier this year, over 8,700 Palestinians have been killed and more than 33,000 injured, according to Gaza’s health authorities. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, while political solutions remain elusive.
As the deadline for Hamas to respond draws near, the question now is whether diplomacy will prevail—or whether Israel’s threat to redraw the map of Gaza will plunge the region into a new and uncertain phase of conflict.
