Daijiworld Media Network- Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Jun 30: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the recent 12-day war with Iran, which concluded on June 24, has created "many opportunities" for Israel — foremost among them being the rescue of hostages held in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas militants.
Speaking during a visit to a Shin Bet security facility on Sunday, Netanyahu stated, “First of all, to rescue the hostages. Of course, we will also have to solve the Gaza issue, to defeat Hamas, but I estimate that we will achieve both tasks.” His remarks are being seen as a potential shift in focus, especially after nearly 20 months of war in the Gaza Strip and growing domestic pressure over the fate of the captives.
The Prime Minister’s comments were accompanied by the postponement of his court testimony in his long-standing corruption trial, a delay granted by the Jerusalem District Court citing sensitive diplomatic and security concerns. The move has further fuelled speculation that a breakthrough may be underway in the stalled hostage negotiations.
Notably, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters, which represents families of the roughly 50 remaining hostages, welcomed Netanyahu’s statement as a long-overdue recognition of their plight. “The families of the hostages welcome the fact that after 20 months, the return of the hostages has finally been designated as the top priority by the prime minister,” their statement read. They urged the government to translate these words into action with a “comprehensive deal to bring back all 50 hostages and end the fighting in Gaza.”
Israeli intelligence and military officials, including Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, have said that the war with Iran may serve to advance Israel’s strategic goals against Hamas, which is backed by Tehran.
Meanwhile, in Washington, Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close aide to Netanyahu, is scheduled to hold high-level talks at the White House focused on Iran and the Gaza situation. Israeli media report that the security cabinet met Sunday and is expected to reconvene Monday, underscoring the urgency of the developments.
US President Donald Trump added to the intrigue over the weekend, stating that Netanyahu was “right now negotiating a deal with Hamas”, although no concrete details were released by either side.
The US has reportedly proposed a 60-day ceasefire involving the release of half the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and the remains of Palestinian fighters, followed by the release of the remaining captives upon agreement to a permanent ceasefire.
Hamas, in its response to mediators, expressed readiness to resume ceasefire talks but reaffirmed that any agreement must include a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war — conditions Israel has firmly rejected. Tel Aviv insists it will only cease operations once Hamas is disarmed and dismantled.
The humanitarian toll of the conflict continues to mount. According to Israeli figures, Hamas’s October 7 attack resulted in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken to Gaza. In retaliation, Israel’s ongoing military offensive has reportedly killed over 56,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, displaced nearly the entire 2.3 million population, and devastated the territory’s infrastructure.
With high-level diplomatic activity underway and both Israeli and Hamas officials making cautious gestures toward negotiation, attention now turns to whether Netanyahu's pledge to prioritise the hostage rescue mission can translate into real movement — and, possibly, a step toward ending the devastating Gaza conflict.