Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that "the way to return the captives is to increase military pressure on Hamas." Smotrich explained in his remarks that he "wants a deal where the head of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, surrenders, not Israel," noting that "if the Israeli army does not remain in the Philadelphia corridor, the result will be the resurgence of Hamas."
Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that "the Israeli delegation sent for negotiations, which left for Qatar on Wednesday, has returned and there is no Israeli working team left there." The authority's website quoted a source familiar with the negotiations, stating that the Israeli delegation returned to Tel Aviv without providing further details.
Israeli newspaper Maariv clarified that "there is progress in the ongoing talks in the Qatari capital, Doha, to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas and efforts to narrow the gaps on key issues." The broadcasting authority mentioned on Wednesday that there is progress in discussions with Hamas regarding the Philadelphia corridor and the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza. The aim of the ongoing negotiations regarding a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas is to find quick solutions to the complex issues between the two parties.
All areas of Gaza are suffering from a significant crisis in water and food due to the Israeli military's destruction of infrastructure and desalination lines and stations. Meanwhile, the United Nations warned of the implications of the hunger crisis faced by Gaza's residents amid the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel.
