Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that "there are significant indications that the operation to assassinate the leader of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Mohammed Deif, was successful, but I will not say anything definitive until we obtain more information."
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority revealed on Monday evening that the negotiation team informed Netanyahu that without withdrawing from the Philadelphia Corridor and the return of residents to the northern Gaza Strip, Hamas would not agree to a hostage deal.
The Authority pointed out that "Netanyahu insists on rejecting the army's withdrawal from the Philadelphia Corridor and the return of residents to northern Gaza." It noted, "In the coming days, an Israeli negotiation delegation will depart to continue talks with mediators to reach a deal with Hamas," confirming that "the negotiations have not stopped."
It highlighted that "the army is working to expand the Philadelphia Corridor to prevent arms smuggling from Egypt to Gaza."
Netanyahu announced in an interview with Channel 14 that "the army has occupied the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphia Corridor, and my firm stance is pushing Hamas towards flexibility." He stated, "We must increase pressure, and the more we do, the better chance we have of securing a deal that frees as many hostages as possible."
Additionally, the Cairo News Channel reported on Saturday that a senior Egyptian source said that "Egypt has urged Israel not to obstruct the ongoing negotiations regarding the ceasefire in Gaza and not to propose new principles that contradict what has been agreed upon."
