During the recent dramatic security cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to rule out a partial deal—despite statements from his office claiming the die was cast, that Israel was pushing for Hamas’s surrender, and that a partial deal was off the table. Even during the weekly government meeting, ministers pressed Netanyahu, and again he refused to firmly reject a partial deal. He only said that a decisive moment was approaching.

And that’s the truth—at no point has Netanyahu closed the door on a partial deal. This does not mean, however, that the threat to capture Gaza City was a bluff. It was real. But with Netanyahu, it’s typical to keep multiple channels open simultaneously—perhaps Hamas will panic and agree to a deal based on Steve Witkoff’s proposal, and if not, Israel will march into Gaza City and defeat them. The preparations for the conquest were genuine, though they proceeded with a certain slowness characteristic of someone not truly eager for an escalation, with all its heavy costs.

It’s...

Israel Today Membership

Become a Member

• Read all member content

  Get exclusive in-depth reports from Israel.

• Get exclusive in-depth reports from Israel

  Connect with Israel, right from your home.

• Lift up the voice of truth and hope

  Support Jerusalem-based Zionist journalism.

Become a Member

Already a member? Login here.