Gov't Spox-Israel Won't Agree To End War w/Hamas In Power In Gaza

An Israeli gov't spox has stated to Reuters that 'Israel will not agree to end the war and leave Hamas in power [in Gaza].' The official does not comment on the US pausing delivery of more powerful ordnancehaving failed to see an effective plan from Israel about avoiding mass civilian casulaties in any ground assault on Rafah.

• Barak Ravid at Axios posts on X:
  • "An Israeli senior official told me that there remain major gaps in the negotiations on the hostage deal, but the Israeli team will remain in Cairo to try to bridge these gaps and will make a significant effort to promote a deal.
  • "There is a very broad mandate for the negotiating team. A supreme effort is made to try to reduce the gaps. There is a long rope from the political level to try to reach a deal," the Israeli official told me.
  • According to the Israeli official, Hamas' proposal "crosses all the red lines" of Israel and does not allow progress. "Israel will continue its plans regarding Rafah at the same time as the negotiations in Cairo," said the Israeli official."
• The spokesperson's comments about not concluding the war with Hamas still in power in Gaza pushes back against the likelihood of a swift end to the conflict. Eradicating Hamas as a fighting and political force in Gaza could take many more months, if not years. This is especially the case given the Palestninian Authority's lack of presence in Gaza since its ouster in 2007.