Talks of Gaza annexation said only to be ‘threats’, unlikely to be carried out as Israel weighs next steps

Following reports that Israel’s leadership is discussing the possibility of annexing part of the Gaza Strip, senior Israeli officials said that the plans are not likely to materialize and mainly meant to pressure Hamas into an agreement.

Speaking to Ynet News, the officials clarified, “The hope is that the terror organization will be alarmed and agree to a deal.”

“If Hamas continues to refuse, Israel will have to make decisions about whether to expand the military maneuver and enter areas it has not entered until now,” they explained.

The newspaper Haaretz cited a government minister and a senior coalition member who made the statements to the same effect.

“It’s not really on the table,” the unnamed minister said, while the coalition member added, “I find it very unlikely to happen. Right now, [we are] trying to threaten Hamas where it would be pained the most – losing land.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened another meeting of his small cabinet on Tuesday to continue discussing Israel’s next steps in Gaza.

Earlier this week, Israel effectively abandoned its policy of pressuring Hamas by withholding aid from areas under its control, allowing aid to enter from various points, as well as approving the resumption of airdrops.

The discussion focused on the possible military options, including full conquest of the enclave and a military government, the resumption of a total siege and blockade, and other ways of intensifying the military pressure, according to Ynet.

According to Channel 13, Netanyahu decided to wait for several more days to see whether Hamas will show more flexibility, and until then, the military operations will not be expanded.

Despite this, senior cabinet members were said to be pessimistic regarding prospects for breakthrough in the negotiations and expect Israel to expand military operations soon.

Ynet reported that no meeting of the full security cabinet has been scheduled, indicating that a decision, which would have to be approved by the cabinet, is not close at hand.

In addition to waiting on new signals from Hamas, the main reason for the delay could be that the government is waiting for results from talks between senior Trump administration officials, and Israeli representatives Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, who arrived in Washington on Tuesday.

According to Channel 13, Israel seeks “full coordination” with the U.S. regarding the hostage issue, a possible expansion of military operations in Gaza, the annexation issue, and the continuing talks of a nuclear deal with Iran, among others.

Meanwhile, within the cabinet, several fault lines have emerged. Israel Hayom reported that Shas party leader Aryeh Deri said during an argument over annexation at Tuesday’s meeting, “We have no business in Gaza.”

This followed public remarks by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who advocated for resettling Gaza during a conference marking the 20th anniversary of Israel’s Gaza disengagement.

In addition, Ynet quoted comments Smotrich made during a heated discussion with IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who had argued, “It will take years to conquer the entire Gaza Strip, and in the meantime, we must continue with raids.”

“We already miss Herzi Halevi. You should apologize to Halevi – you attacked him for saying the exact same things,” Smotrich retorted, referring to Zamir’s predecessor as IDF chief.

Nevertheless, the senior officials who talked to Ynet said that while Israeli leadership doesn’t believe a negotiated agreement that would end the war is possible, there is hope that a limited and partial deal involving ten living hostages and fifteen bodies could still be reached.

“The response from Hamas, as mentioned, was not good, but the gaps are really not that big – it’s purely a matter of decisions,” one source argued.

“The talks aren’t truly collapsing – because in the end, both sides want an agreement. It’s just a decision that can be made and executed. But meanwhile, another day goes by, and another – and the hostages continue to suffer and remain at risk.”