In a closed-door meeting with Likud party members at the Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed a bleak outlook on reaching a hostage release and ceasefire agreement with Hamas, despite the killing of the group�s leader, Yahya Sinwar. Netanyahu indicated that Sinwar�s successors might adopt an even more hardline stance, complicating any potential negotiations.

�We are working all the time to bring [the hostages] back,� Netanyahu said, according to a recording aired by Channel 12. He explained that partial solutions are being explored, though it remains uncertain if new opportunities will arise. �All those who want to succeed Sinwar will be more Sinwar than Sinwar,� he added, underscoring the challenges.

Despite continued efforts, Netanyahu acknowledged that Hamas�s demands � including an end to the war � remain unacceptable to Israel. He suggested that any shifts in Hamas�s stance might come only if they require �breathing space.� Among the limited options under discussion, Netanyahu hinted at offering brief pauses to allow hostages to be released, rather than a full-scale truce.

Netanyahu also downplayed reports of an Egyptian proposal involving a short ceasefire in exchange for four hostages, calling the offer �nonexistent,� despite indicating he would consider such terms immediately if they were real. �We are definitely looking here for partial deals,� Netanyahu said, emphasizing any progress would hinge on alignment with Israel�s national interests.

In related developments, Brig. Gen. Oren Setter, a high-ranking member of Israel�s negotiation team focused on hostage release efforts, announced his sudden resignation, as first reported by Israel�s Kan public broadcaster and later confirmed by the IDF. Setter, who served as a deputy to Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon, left amid a persistent deadlock in negotiations.

The IDF acknowledged Setter�s efforts, saying that he �worked tirelessly to advance the efforts to return the hostages.� The statement noted that Setter may continue to assist the hostage operations team as needed in the future.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)