Can Netanyahu thread needle on Gaza ceasefire without losing coalition?
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to make statements about advancing a Gaza ceasefire deal, but that does not necessarily mean he will commit to ending the war.
In Washington, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed optimism about the chances for a Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas, though Israeli analysts estimate he might not be interested in reaching a comprehensive deal for ending the Gaza war because of opposition within his coalition.
President Donald Trump has been pushing for a ceasefire deal and for ending the war in Gaza. These issues were at the heart of both meetings at the White House this week between Trump and Netanyahu. Still, Netanyahu's far-right coalition partners are pushing back against a deal.
Could far-right parties block the deal?
The deal that's now being negotiated in Doha would see a 60-day ceasefire with the release, in stages, of 10 living hostages and 18 bodies in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, expansion of the humanitarian aid and partial retreat of Israeli troops from areas in the north and south of the Strip. During the 60-day ceasefire, the sides are expected to negotiate the second phase of the deal — namely, ending the Gaza war and a full retreat of the Israeli military from Gaza. The agreement will likely include American guarantees that Israel won't be able to unilaterally resume the war after the 60-day ceasefire ends.
