Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a proposal for a five-year ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of all Israeli captives in a single deal, according to Hebrew media reports citing a senior political source.
“Some Arab states are floating ideas, such as a five-year truce,” the unnamed source told local media. “There is no chance we will accept a ceasefire with Hamas that allows it to continue its war on Israel with greater intensity.”
Statements attributed to “a political source” are often released directly by Netanyahu’s office.
According to Israel’s public broadcaster, Hamas proposed a comprehensive plan during negotiations in Doha and Cairo, which includes a five-year ceasefire and the exchange of all hostages.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military is preparing to expand its ground invasion in Gaza, citing a deadlock in ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. The army has begun mass mobilization of reserve forces and is setting up a new so-called “humanitarian zone” in southern Gaza, between the Morag corridor and Rafah.
According to Israeli sources, this zone will serve as a site to screen displaced Palestinians and distribute aid through American civilian companies under Israeli military supervision.
Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has reportedly approved plans for the expanded military operations.
Separately, a senior Israeli security official claimed in closed meetings that Netanyahu aims to end the Gaza war by October 2025. “That is the latest target date. If conditions allow and objectives are met, it could end sooner,” the official said. The official also claimed that the war would not exceed two years in duration.
Ron Dermer, Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister and a close ally of Netanyahu, stated at the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) conference that the war on Gaza would conclude within 12 months. He also claimed that “many nations” would be interested in normalizing ties with Israel afterward.
Israel estimates that 59 of its citizens remain captive in Gaza, of whom 24 are believed to be alive. In contrast, over 9,900 Palestinian prisoners are held in Israeli jails, where they reportedly face systematic torture, starvation, and medical neglect, leading to multiple deaths.
Hamas’s proposed deal reportedly includes a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, reconstruction of the besieged enclave, lifting the blockade, and a return to pre-March 2 conditions. It also suggests the formation of an independent, local committee to administer Gaza. Hamas has firmly rejected discussions about disarming its military wing.
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