But Israeli leaders have also vowed to carry out a major military operation in Rafah against Hamas forces they believe are fortified there. Netanyahu has repeatedly said that Israel will invade Rafah with or without a ceasefire agreement.
Hamas wants Israel to withdraw all its forces, but Israel says it must maintain control of security in Gaza.
Israel withdrew its forces from Gaza after previous conflicts with Hamas in 2014 and 2009, but this time, Israeli leaders say it’s not that simple.
During the Hamas-led attack on October 7, Palestinian gunmen overwhelmed communities and military bases near Gaza, killing about 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials.
Israeli leaders have vowed to do whatever is necessary to ensure that such an attack never happens again, and they say that means maintaining the freedom of the Israeli military to operate in Gaza.
Israeli forces have also demolished many buildings within the Gaza border area to create a buffer zone with Israel, sparking international criticism.
At least publicly, Hamas has rejected a long-term Israeli military presence in the Palestinian enclave, including a buffer zone. In March, a senior Hamas official, Ghazi Hamad, said the group was willing to accept a gradual Israeli withdrawal as part of a possible ceasefire deal, as long as Israel committed to completely withdrawing from the Gaza Strip. .
Netanyahu’s political calculations complicate his government’s ability to reach a deal.
Netanyahu has repeatedly said he is committed to bringing home hostages held in Gaza, but his political survival depends on far-right allies in his governing coalition who oppose the current proposed deal.
Two of those allies – Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir – have denounced the proposed deal, saying it amounts to a victory for Hamas. They have called on Israeli forces to immediately begin a ground operation in Rafah.
Netanyahu’s coalition has 64 seats out of 120 in Israel’s parliament, meaning any defection could jeopardize his premiership and pave the way for elections.
Yair Lapid, leader of Israel’s parliamentary opposition, has said he would back Netanyahu to approve a deal to bring the hostages to Israel. But that would leave Netanyahu totally dependent on some of his harshest critics in the opposition, a political alliance that is unlikely to last long.