Netanyahu’s decision raises fears of war again
Last Updated on February 3, 2025 6:25 am
Gaza ceasefire agreement under threat again. Although the second phase of negotiations with Hamas were supposed to begin on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suddenly reversed course. He has decided not to send a delegation to Qatar for negotiations on this day. However, experts fear that Netanyahu’s decision will lead to a new war in Gaza. The Times of Israel reported this news, citing the Hebrew media outlet Walla News.
The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel began on January 19. The first phase of the three-phase agreement is valid for 42 days. However, the agreement states that negotiations on the second phase must begin after 16 days of the first phase. Accordingly, Monday will be the 16th day. If Netanyahu does not finally send representatives to Qatar, it will be a serious violation of the agreement. A senior Israeli official said that the implementation of the second phase of the agreement is “very worrying.” However, he hopes that it will not damage the first 42-day phase. Netanyahu is plotting to start a new war by not allowing the delegations to go for the second phase of talks, the Times of Israel reported. If the second phase is implemented, Hamas will release all surviving hostages from Gaza. Israel will release numerous Palestinian prisoners from their prisons and all occupying Israeli troops will be withdrawn from Gaza.
Walla News reported that Netanyahu was scheduled to hold talks with Mossad chief David Barney, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and the hostages’ point man Nitzan Alon, among others, on Saturday night (local time). But he informed them through his military secretary Roman Goffman that he had decided not to send a delegation to Qatar.
A source said that Netanyahu will meet with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. He does not want to do anything about the ceasefire agreement before this meeting. But since there is an obligation to start negotiations on Monday, not sending a delegation would violate the terms of the agreement. Netanyahu is also looking to replace Mossad chief David Barney with his confidant Ron Dermer as the head of the ceasefire negotiation team. Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Kertz have agreed to appoint Yal Zamir as the next head of the IDF.
A statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday said that Yal Zamir’s appointment as the head of the IDF has been finalized, nearly two weeks after General Harzi Halevi announced his resignation. The statement added that Maj. Gen. (ret.) Yal Zamir will take over as the 24th chief of the IDF on March 6, following the resignation of Lt. Gen. Harzi Halevi. Retired Maj. Gen. Yal Zamir has served in various positions in the Israeli army for 28 years.