Israel seeks assurances from Trump for potential Gaza offensive amid fragile ceasefire talks

07/10/2025 / By Belle Carter

Israel is reportedly seeking a side letter from President Donald Trump to permit the renewal of hostilities if their demands for Hamas’ disarmament and exile of its leaders are not met, despite public optimism about a ceasefire.
The current ceasefire proposal, brokered by Qatar and Egypt, includes a 60-day pause in hostilities to facilitate negotiations. However, Israeli media reports indicate significant behind-the-scenes challenges, particularly regarding post-truce arrangements.
Israeli military reservist Amit Yagur suggests that Trump’s push for a “new Middle East” is increasing pressure on regional actors, especially Qatar, where many Hamas officials are based, affecting negotiations.
Hamas’ key demands for a ceasefire include the dissolution of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, Israeli military withdrawals to pre-March 2023 positions and international guarantees to prevent renewed attacks by Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to the U.S. proposal but rejects Hamas’ amendments, aiming to destroy Hamas and secure the release of captives. The U.S. seeks to link the Gaza war’s end with broader Middle East diplomacy, including potential Israeli-Arab ties, while also discussing a new nuclear deal with Iran.

Israel is reportedly seeking a side letter from President Donald Trump that would allow it to “renew the fire” if its demands for the disarmament of Hamas and the exile of its leaders are not met.

This request comes despite public claims of optimism from both Israeli officials and Trump about the prospects for a ceasefire.

The current ceasefire proposal, which includes a 60-day pause in hostilities, is being brokered by Qatar and Egypt. During this period, negotiators would work towards ending the war. However, Israeli media reports suggest that serious challenges persist behind the scenes, particularly over what will happen after the truce. (Related: Trump announces 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal as Israel agrees, Hamas remains cautious.)

Amit Yagur, an Israeli military reservist and former deputy head of Palestinian affairs, told Channel 14 that Trump’s push for a “new Middle East” is increasing pressure on regional actors, particularly Qatar, where many senior Hamas officials are based.

“The focus must be on the new Middle East,” Yagur said. “The new regional architecture being discussed creates pressure among all the players.”

During a cabinet meeting on July 1, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that any deal would guarantee the destruction of Palestinian resistance.

“We have to kill anyone who is holding a weapon,” he said.

Military analyst Amos Harel noted that Netanyahu may be staging the appearance of compromise for Washington while signaling to Hamas that his core demands remain unchanged.

Hamas’ demands

Hamas has three main demands for a ceasefire:

End to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF): The GHF has been criticized for making aid conditional on political and military aims, with critics calling it “a cynical sideshow” and “a fig leaf for further violence and displacement.”
Israeli military withdrawals: Hamas wants Israeli forces to withdraw to the positions they held before the ceasefire was violated in March 2023.
International guarantees for an end to the war: Hamas is seeking assurances that Israel will not resume attacks even if the ceasefire ends without a permanent resolution.

The Israeli military has been accused of deliberately targeting unarmed Palestinians, with at least 743 Palestinians killed at GHF sites in recent weeks. The Israeli military has also created corridors in Gaza, further dividing the territory.

Netanyahu has agreed to the original U.S. proposal but has called Hamas’ amendments “unacceptable.” He has vowed not to end the war until all captives are released and Hamas is “destroyed,” a goal many analysts consider impossible and a political objective for Netanyahu to maintain his leadership.

What’s at stake in Washington

As Netanyahu meets with Trump, the future of the Gaza war hangs in the balance. Both leaders have reasons to seek a truce. Netanyahu, buoyed by what Israelis see as a successful attack in Iran, may have more flexibility to make concessions. Hamas does not want to be blamed for rejecting a truce.

The U.S. hopes to link the end of the war with a potential diplomatic reshuffle in the Middle East, including formal ties between Israel and Arab countries. However, Saudi Arabia and other Arab states are unlikely to agree to normalize relations unless the Gaza war ends.

Trump and Netanyahu will also discuss a new nuclear agreement with Iran. Trump has expressed interest in a “permanent deal,” while Netanyahu has long been skeptical of any deals with Tehran. The recent U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran have complicated the situation, with mixed assessments of their impact.

Watch the video below that talks about Israel agreeing to the 60-day ceasefire conditions.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.