Daijiworld Media Network - Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv, Jul 12: Israel and Hamas resumed ceasefire and hostage-release negotiations on Sunday, with fresh hope emerging as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that talks are ‘closer’ to a breakthrough than before. However, he also cautioned that similar optimism has faded during earlier attempts.

As per the new proposal, Hamas has agreed to release 10 hostages in return for a 60-day ceasefire, during which discussions for a permanent truce would continue.

Despite this progress, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert highlighted deep divides in an interview with NDTV. “Hamas will not release all the hostages unless they’re guaranteed that the war is finished,” he said, underlining that the hostage issue remains Hamas' last bargaining tool.

Olmert said Israel remains firm on its demand for Hamas’ complete elimination as a power structure, while Hamas insists on an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a full cessation of hostilities.

He also questioned the role of American influence, particularly that of US President Donald Trump. “Trump has the power and authority to force Netanyahu to abide by his demands, and he should have used it long ago,” Olmert said, suggesting that Trump holds significant sway over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Olmert noted growing public pressure within Israel to end the war. “The majority of Israelis want the war to end today. They want the hostages back today,” he said, adding that Trump may now find more public support than Netanyahu within Israel to influence the process.

Reflecting on the war’s toll, Olmert revealed that 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, including thousands of children. “At this point, it is more important to bring the hostages home than to continue a war with no clear objective,” he said, stressing that Hamas' military capability has already been decimated.

He warned that prolonging the conflict risks more Israeli soldiers' lives and the 50 hostages still in captivity.

Responding to Trump’s idea of turning Gaza into the “French Riviera of the Middle East,” Olmert firmly rejected any forced deportation. “Gaza is Palestinian, and Palestinians ought to live there,” he asserted, calling instead for mechanisms to prevent Gaza from falling back into the hands of terror groups.

Olmert also questioned Netanyahu’s legitimacy, claiming that while he holds a technical majority in parliament, it no longer reflects the will of the people. “More than 60 percent of Israelis don’t trust or support Netanyahu,” he noted.

Calling for a shift in leadership and mindset, Olmert said, “There is a different voice coming from Israel – one of compassion, compromise, and a desire to end hostilities. Netanyahu is not part of this voice. He must step down – and soon.”