According to records from a meeting of the Israeli war cabinet held on March 1, Netanyahu disregarded multiple calls from top-brass military officials to move to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement to facilitate the release of Israeli captives, followed by a resumption of hostilities thereafter.
The Israeli prime minister instead opted to unilaterally terminate the ceasefire in March and prohibit all assistance to Gaza, aiming to compel Hamas to surrender.
This took place regardless of Hamas's adherence to the talks, which was not in line with what the war cabinet had anticipated.
Based on the transcripts, the calls made by the military officials received support from the Mossad spy agency, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, and minister of military affairs Israel Katz, who advocated for the progression of the deal, believing that a temporary cessation of hostilities could facilitate the return of all Israeli captives being held in Gaza.
In the internal documents that were leaked, Major General Nitzan Alon, who is the chief of captives for the Israeli forces, is cited as stating, “The sole opportunity to secure the release of captives is to negotiate the conditions of Phase B.”
Bar stated that his “preferred choice is to move to Phase B”, further noting that Israel could “reinitiate the conflict afterward”.
Katz endorsed a partial agreement, asserting that: “If Hamas returns even a portion of the captives – fewer than half – that would be excellent.”
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer remarked that the Israeli war cabinet “anticipated the discussions would collapse as soon as we engaged in them – yet that did not occur.”
The Hostages Families Forum described the disclosures as “damning” and asserted that the administration “knowingly and deliberately undermined” agreements for the exchange of captives and “misled the public.”
According to Gaza's Health Ministry, hospitals in the territory have reported four additional fatalities attributed to famine and malnutrition within the last 24 hours, increasing the overall count of hunger-related deaths to 197, which includes 96 children.
The United Nations has stated that Israel's blockade of Gaza places the lives of over 100 premature infants in “imminent danger”, as the shortage of fuel hinders “life-saving” procedures in medical facilities.
At least 61,258 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 152,045 individuals injured in the brutal Israeli onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former minister of military affairs Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the besieged coastal territory.
Press TV