US and Hamas hold secret talks to free hostages, Eyal Zamir steps in as IDF chief

The IDF released several reports over the past few days, investigating its role in the failures that led to October 7, as well as its management in the first few days following the attack. These probes cover everything from the lead-up to the attack, the IDF’s response and also individual battles. While the investigations are thorough, they leave many questions unanswered, as does the recent Shin Bet (Israel Security Service) report on the same subject.

On the one hand, the IDF and Shin Bet have admitted failures, but on the other hand, there is lack of clarity on how Israel’s security establishment should have done better prior to October 7. This is because the reports, so far, suffer from a “forest for the trees” problem. The overall forest of failure on October 7 relate to large themes, such as the complacency and arrogance that underpinned Israel’s Gaza policy; the details revealed in the investigations make this clear. They relate to problems such as the IDF not practicing to defend bases and posts along the border in the case of a mass attack. This left bases, like Nahal Oz, without the proper defenses. The bases were exposed, didn’t have enough armed combat soldiers to defend them, and the brigades and division command seemed overwhelmed.

The Shin Bet said that the “organization failures” have been examined and that lessons have been learned. Yet it also said – before – that it had a deep understanding of Hamas. So, what went wrong?

Israeli political figures reacted to the swearing in of the new IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir on Wednesday, following the changeover ceremony in Tel Aviv.

New IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir wasted no time changing the face of the IDF high command, making two key appointments Wednesday night, only hours after taking office.

Hamas has been stalling for four days to prevent Israel from pushing it to extend a hostage deal. The initial phase of the ceasefire and hostage deal began in mid-January, a day before the inauguration of US President Donald Trump. That deal was successful and saw hostages released by Hamas. However, the deal ended on March 1, and since then, Hamas has demanded that Israel move to phase 2 of the ceasefire deal.

Israel’s leaders have opposed phase 2 since the ceasefire began. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials have rejected the idea of ending the war and leaving the Philadelphi corridor in southern Gaza. However, Israeli officials also are unclear on when and if they will return to fighting in Gaza. Hamas now believes its long-term strategy has been successful.

Hamas believes that it can stall for long enough and call Israel’s bluff about having the “gates of hell” open if Hamas doesn’t buckle. Hamas also believes the Trump administration will not let “hell break loose” in Gaza. Why is Hamas so optimistic? It believes that Israel doesn’t really want to return to fighting. It knows the Trump administration has told Israel that Jerusalem can do whatever it wants.

The question, though, is what does Israel want? Netanyahu and other officials say they want total victory in Gaza and want to see Hamas's military and governance capabilities defeated. They also say they want the hostages returned. However, there isn’t a clear strategy regarding Gaza.

Arab leaders gathered in Cairo on March 4 to discuss a plan for Gaza. The plan that has come out of Egypt envisions some $53 billion being spent on Gaza. The plan is partly in response to US President Donald Trump floating a plan to re-settle many of the people from Gaza.

The result is a plan by the Arab states that, in most contexts, would represent an extraordinary initiative by these countries. However, in the current context, it appears the plan may be dead on arrival. This is unfortunate because it could serve as a foundation for something better.

Egyptian president Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has welcomed the proposal. This would take pressure off Egypt to take in Gazans. However, Israel’s leaders have paid lip service to the Trump plan. This would likely mean some Gazans moving to Egypt. Egypt doesn’t want Gazans because it worries this could destabilize the Egyptian government.

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff canceled his visit to Qatar that was supposed to be this week, The Jerusalem Post confirmed Wednesday evening.

US special envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler has been holding direct talks with Hamas officials in Qatar on the possibility of releasing US hostages being held in Gaza, a source familiar with the details confirmed to the Jerusalem Post.

Israel has been updated on these talks.

Bohler met with Hamas "because his role allows it," the source told the Post.

"The talks focused on releasing American hostages - but also all hostages. The message: Show goodwill - to enable discussions about the second phase as well."

On Tuesday, officials estimated that if no agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas, Israel would return to fighting in Gaza in about a week and a half.

“Hamas is currently rejecting [US Middle East envoy Steve] Witkoff’s proposal, so it is very difficult to make progress,” one official said.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Witkoff’s plan involves the release of half of the living hostages and the return of half of the bodies on the first day of the continued deal. The rest of the hostages and bodies would be returned on the 42nd day, which would be the final day of the ceasefire.

However, some claim that the terrorist organization has not rejected the proposal. According to a source familiar with the negotiations, “Hamas has neither accepted nor rejected the Witkoff proposal.”

No humanitarian aid was provided to Hamas's political or military wings by Qatar, the Qatari government said on Wednesday, in response to the Shin Bet October 7 probe results released on Tuesday. 

Former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and the military's new chief Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem after the chief of staff changeover ceremony in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

IDF Chief-of-Staff Eyal Zamir visits the Western Wall, in Jerusalem, on March 5, 2025 (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

Eyal Zamir replaced Herzi Halevi as IDF chief of staff on Wednesday, also being promoted to lieutenant general, in the ceremony led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and in the presence of all of the leaders of the defense establishment.