Netanyahu disrupts Gaza hostage deal in July negotiations

In July, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu introduced new demands that effectively derailed a draft hostage and ceasefire agreement, according to a report by Yedioth Ahronoth. This report revealed that at least three hostages, who were supposed to be released under a previous agreement, were found dead in Gaza. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed the existence of the document but denied that it added new conditions to the earlier proposal. However, sources indicated that Netanyahu's insistence on maintaining military presence in certain areas was a significant obstacle to reaching an agreement. The new demands, referred to as the 'Netanyahu Outline,' included stipulations for the continued occupation of the Philadelphi Corridor and specific guarantees regarding the return of Palestinian civilians. Additionally, Netanyahu's team proposed a list of 40 hostages to be released in the first phase of negotiations, which marked a shift from previous discussions. Hamas criticized these new conditions as a strategy of procrastination and evasion. Tensions escalated as the situation remained unresolved, with diplomatic sources indicating that a ceasefire deal would not be possible until the dispute over Israeli troop deployment was settled. The complexity of the negotiations was further highlighted by the insistence on specific terms regarding the exchange of long-term Palestinian prisoners. The developments in July underscored the fragile nature of the negotiations and the potential consequences of Netanyahu's demands, which were seen as directly contributing to the tragic deaths of hostages. The ongoing conflict and the political pressures within Netanyahu's coalition added layers of difficulty to achieving a resolution.