Israel is desperate for a deal with Hamas, says Goldberg

Last Updated on January 13, 2025 6:21 am

After recent progress in prisoner swap talks with Hamas, Israel has approved a plan to quickly withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip.

Israeli media also reported that 90 percent of the details of the prisoner swap agreement between Israel and Hamas have already been finalized.

In such a context, Israeli political commentator Ori Goldberg told Al Jazeera that there is a “real hope” for a ceasefire agreement to be concluded. Which is going to be determined through negotiations with Hamas. However, this has more to do with Israel’s position than Hamas’s.

Goldberg said, “I think there is pressure on Israel to do something for the newly elected US President Donald Trump. But there is no pressure on Hamas. Because Hamas has been very firm in its demands and negotiating position since the start of the war.”

The Israeli political analyst also noted that Israel is now in a weak position and that Netanyahu’s government has nothing to show for its 15-month war. “Because Israeli soldiers are currently dying in unprecedented numbers.”

Goldberg believes that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has realized that ending the war and implementing a deal could increase his chances of winning future elections.

“As a prime minister, ending the war and implementing a deal – this identity could become important for Netanyahu,” he said.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently met with Steve Witkoff, US President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, to discuss the agreement with Hamas.