A Security Cabinet meeting was held on Saturday night, in which ministers discussed the situation in Gaza and the Israeli and international efforts to secure a deal for the release of the Israeli hostages still in captivity. Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer opened the discussion by stating, “Hamas is blinking; the military pressure is forcing a shift in its position.” Minister Ze’ev Elkin echoed this sentiment, emphasizing, “We must continue the military pressure and not stop.” Security officials reinforced the political echelon’s assessment, saying, “There is a significant shift in Hamas’s stance.”
The Lively Exchange on the Gaza Electricity Supply
One issue raised during the meeting was the supply of electricity to Gaza. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir asked why electricity was still flowing to Gaza, stating, “Good on Minister Cohen for cutting their power. We need to shut down all electricity lines to Gaza.”
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Major General Ghassan Alian, was surprised: “But we are not currently supplying electricity to Gaza. The one line there was has been cut. They are relying now mostly on generators—Israel is not providing electricity to Gaza. If we were, we would have advised you—but we’re not.”
In response, Ben Gvir reiterated his demand: “Then shut down the generators too—and the internal lines. Turn off their lights.” National Security Council (NSC) director Tzachi Hanegbi reacted with sarcasm: “Ghassan, turn off their sun. We need to darken Gaza even during the daytime.”
Minister Miri Regev joked, “He wants to bring them a plague of darkness before Passover.”
Hostage Deal Negotiations
Amid the intense fighting in Gaza, efforts continue to secure the release of the 59 hostages held by Hamas. The terror organization informed mediators that it would agree to release up to five hostages—both living and deceased—in exchange for a renewed ceasefire lasting until after Passover.
Israel, in contrast, presented a counterproposal to the mediators, under which 11 living hostages—half of the total captives—would be released in exchange for a 40-day ceasefire.
Israeli Proposal Coordinated with the U.S.
As part of ongoing negotiations in Doha, the terror organization has agreed to release five living hostages in exchange for terrorists, a 50-day pause in fighting, and the commencement of discussions on a timeline for ending the war. However, Israel is holding firm to the framework proposed by Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, under which Hamas would release ten of the 24 hostages who are believed to still be alive.
