Chief of Staff of Israel Eyal Zamir urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the current prisoner exchange proposal, warning that the occupation of Gaza City carries “serious risks” to the lives of the hostages, Anadolu Agency reported.

The appeal comes amid growing pressure from the families of Israeli hostages, who are demanding a deal for the release of their relatives.

Netanyahu ordered immediate negotiations for the release of all hostages while continuing plans for the occupation of Gaza City and the relocation of its population.

The Prime Minister’s comments indicate that he may seek a deal under new conditions, while mediators await an official response to the Egypt-Qatar proposal, which largely aligns with previous Israeli agreements and was recently accepted by Hamas.

“There is a deal on the table, and it must be accepted now,” Zamir told Israeli Channel 13. “The army has provided the conditions for its implementation, and the decision now rests with Netanyahu.”

The army chief reiterated his concerns regarding the plan to occupy Gaza City. “The army can occupy Gaza, but the operation could seriously endanger the lives of the hostages,” he said.

The hostages’ families welcomed Zamir’s statement. “The Chief of Staff reflects the demands of most Israelis for a comprehensive agreement that will return 50 hostages and end the war,” their statement read.

Israel estimates that Hamas holds 50 hostages, including 20 alive, while Tel Aviv detains over 10,800 Palestinians, with human rights organizations reporting torture and medical neglect.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz approved the army’s plans to occupy Gaza City, promising heavy shelling and population relocation.

According to Channel 12, the current proposal includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops near the border to allow humanitarian aid, a temporary 60-day truce during which the exchange would occur in two phases—release of 10 living hostages and 18 Israeli bodies in exchange for Palestinian detainees—and discussions on permanent truce agreements.

Since October 2023, Israel has killed nearly 62,700 Palestinians in Gaza, with the military campaign devastating the enclave, which is now at risk of famine.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Galant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case before the International Court of Justice over its war against the enclave. | BGNES