There is a "window of opportunity" for a hostage deal in Gaza during US President Donald Trump's visit to the region next week, but otherwise Israel would begin its new operation in the enclave, a senior Israeli defense official said on Monday.
"If there is no hostage deal, Operation 'Gideon Chariots' will begin with great intensity and will not stop until all its goals are achieved," he said, following a decision by the security cabinet to approve an expanded operation.
Hamas could accept an agreement with Israel based on US Middle East envoy Steve Wikoff's ceasefire outline until the end of US President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East.
The other option would be to face a widespread operation in the Gaza Strip.
Trump’s visit, which will mark the first official foreign trip since taking office in January, signals the administration’s growing focus on economic ties and investment opportunities with Gulf nations. Officials said the summit will give Trump a stage to outline his regional strategy and define the contours of US engagement in the Middle East.
Thousands demonstrate against the gov't, demanding hostage deal
Ten of thousands of Israelis throughout the country went out to protest on Saturday night, demanding that the Israeli government continue the hostage release deal to bring the 59 that are still held captive in the Gaza Strip back home, 575 days after Hamas's October 7 massacre.
Egyptian sources involved in negotiations who also spoke to the Saudi newspaper Al-Arabiya claimed last week that Israel withdrew from the previously agreed-upon terms of a hostage deal.
In addition, an Egyptian official involved in negotiations told Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper Al Akhbar on Saturday that "there is nothing new that can be negotiated" to achieve a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.