“Over the past year, Israel has doggedly insisted that negotiations for a Gaza cease-fire be focused solely on a phased deal that would begin with a temporary truce and see some hostages released in exchange for some Palestinian prisoners, while deferring agreement on a more permanent pact.And yet, even as Hamas recently said that it would agree to a phased deal, the Israeli government has switched gears, saying it wanted only a comprehensive deal that would free all the hostages and end the war. It is as unclear as ever how, or when, that might happen.At the same time, Israel said it would carry out a new, expansive campaign into Gaza City to root out Hamas militants. The military is poised this week to call up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers for its advance.Both those steps, experts say, would most likely prolong the war, not shorten it.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has vowed to keep fighting until his country has decisively defeated Hamas, the militant group that has ruled Gaza for nearly two decades, by stripping it of its military and governing capabilities and forcing it to disarm.”

Israel’s Push for a Permanent Gaza Deal May Mean a Longer War, Experts Say

“For most of the past year, Mr. Netanyahu had insisted that negotiations for a Gaza cease-fire be focused solely on a phased deal on the grounds that a comprehensive deal on Israel’s terms would be too hard to achieve, and a temporary cease-fire gave Israel the option of going back to fighting. The government says the Gaza City aim of the proposed military operation is to root Hamas out of one of its last strongholds and achieve a decisive victory over the group that led the deadly attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which set off the war.”

Netanyahu Faces High-Level Opposition to His Stance on Gaza Truce

“In the past, Israel has not been keen to agree to any permanent ceasefire, stating that it wants to continue fighting in the Gaza Strip until Hamas is eradicated.”

More than 30 killed after Israeli forces open fire on people seeking food in Gaza, health ministry says