PM Netanyahu orders ‘shortening’ of Gaza offensive timetable as US pushes for comprehensive deal to end war

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday said he ordered the acceleration of preparations for the planned offensive to capture Gaza City, amid reports that the United States is pushing Israel not to accept a partial deal but to pursue a comprehensive agreement to end the war.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that Netanyahu had “directed that the timetables – for seizing control of the last terrorist strongholds and the defeat of Hamas – be shortened” ahead of the final approval for the military offensive at a Cabinet meeting set for Thursday.

“The Prime Minister expresses his great appreciation for the reservist fighters who have been mobilized and their families, and all IDF soldiers. Together we will win,” the PMO statement read.

On Wednesday, the IDF reported that some troops had already begun preparatory operations on the outskirts of Gaza City, while an additional 60,000 reservists would be called up in the upcoming months.

Meanwhile, Israel continues to discuss the latest proposal by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, which Hamas claims it has accepted. On Wednesday, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer met with senior Qatari officials in France, the first such contacts since Hamas’ response, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Although the latest proposal follows the “Witkoff outline,” White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and the Trump administration have been reluctant to accept another partial deal, pushing instead for a broader agreement.

Witkoff told Fox News that the proposal had been on the table for three weeks and “Hamas dragged us along in negotiations. President Trump declared he was not going to tolerate that any longer, and guess what happened? There was a significant breakthrough.”

President Trump, Witkoff continued, has been clear that “he wants all the hostages back. That is our position. This conflict must end immediately. Twenty hostages need to be returned to their families. Let’s just end this – bring peace and tranquility to the people of Gaza and rebuild Gaza the way it should be rebuilt, as the president has outlined.”

A senior Israeli source told Ynet News, “Just as there are consultations in Israel, there are also consultations in the White House.”

“President Trump is setting the pace and demanding a complete deal. He has developed an aversion to partial arrangements.”

Netanyahu has so far avoided ruling out a partial deal but is allegedly leaning away from it, while “senior officials” have been informing Israeli media that Israel continues to insist on the release of all hostages.

“He now understands a partial deal isn’t wise,” a senior source told Ynet, referring to the prime minister. “After 60 days of ceasefire, it would be very difficult to restart fighting, and the Americans won’t support that.”

Officials from Egypt and Qatar argue that the proposal accepted by Hamas is close to the outline that Israel had agreed to before the talks collapsed.

“Yes, there are gaps, but they can be bridged within days,” one official told the JPost.

Israel appears set to make a final decision after the Cabinet meeting on Thursday. Sources close to Netanyahu said he sees the Gaza City offensive as a critical tool to pressure Hamas.

“The occupation of Gaza City can serve as leverage to force Hamas into a comprehensive deal under Israeli conditions,” said one official.