Arlene Kushner | July 6, 2025
Euronews
As I write, the news is replete with information about a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This ceasefire was one proposed by US Envoy Steve Witkoff, with “adjustments” made by Qatar to render it more palatable to Hamas.
I use the term “information” loosely, as the reports are neither fully consistent nor fully reliable.
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We must ask up front: why would we even consider a ceasefire, when we are so close to taking down Hamas? Why would we give them a chance to regroup, rest, and possibly remain standing? Why, and why, and why?
There are two major responses to these questions. The first is with regard to the enormous pressure being put on our prime minister by those longing desperately to bring home the hostages who are still being held in horrendous circumstances. (We will put aside here consideration of those using this issue to protest the Netanyahu government.)
Not for a second do I minimize the anguish of those who have loved ones held by Hamas. But the situation is exceedingly complex. As reports stand, we would get only 10 of the remaining 20 believed to still be alive. Hamas is going to hold some as a further bargaining chip, and it is thought that securing a partial release might make it even more difficult to secure those not yet released at a later date.
And then, there is the enormous question of what it means to curtail our efforts to bring Hamas down, even temporarily. More on this following.
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And the second reason we would consider a ceasefire is the maddening propensity of Trump for “deals.” This, too, is an exceedingly complex situation: He has been a superb friend to Israel – releasing weaponry, hitting Iran, etc. The best Israel has ever had.
Evan Vucci/AP
But there is a level at which he simply does not get it. Failing to grasp the jihadist mentality, he believes it is possible to resolve issues with exceedingly aggressive world players by talking with them and reaching understandings. It is not.
We are seeing this now with Iran. Having participated (to a limited degree) with Israel in damaging Iran’s capacity to become a nuclear nation, Trump now speaks about a deal with Iran and his willingness to meet personally with Iranian leaders. They want to meet with the US “very badly,” he says.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCShp4O8h6Y
But what I’ve been seeing – and sharing with my readers – is Iranian obstinance. They officially refuse to allow inspection of their sites and maintain their right to enrich uranium. They are not going to be stopped with negotiations, and Israel full well realizes this. Stopping Iran requires exquisite intelligence, sabotage of their efforts in a variety of ways, and additional attacks as required. If there is anything jihadists can be counted upon to do, it is to lie and cheat on a deal.
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In recent days, Trump has declared over and over that a ceasefire in Gaza is near. Perhaps in a week, perhaps in two weeks. If we are going to talk about maximum pressure, that is what Bibi has been contending with in this context: Trump’s expectation is that Israel will agree to that ceasefire.
One of the components of the ceasefire deal now being considered is the possibility of extending it beyond the specified 60 days. During those 60 days, “serious” negotiations are to be held between Israel and Hamas regarding an indefinite extension of the ceasefire – that is, an end to the war. Apparently the US is to be a guarantor of those negotiations. That this is what Trump wants is clear: he wants an end to the fighting.
And so, this is a primary concern of mine: that we might be prevented from taking Hamas down.
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Yet another concern is with regard to the release of terrorists in our prisons. This has been the deal for each release of hostages, and it is to be expected that it would be the case here too. But I noticed something unsettling. When previous deals were being negotiated, there was a ratio stated of hostages to be released for prisoners to be released. It was obscene – perhaps 20 prisoners for each civilian and 50 civilians for each soldier – but it was stated upfront.
Now, I see no figures and this has me worried. Exactly how many murderers and accessories to murder would be allowed to go free here for the 10 hostages to be released? I shudder to consider, and I believe insufficient attention is paid to this. What is the price Israelis would pay for this deal in the future?
I had read recently that Israel consented to the release of “high level” terrorists that we had previously refused to release. Come again? Think about this: It may be because we have already released all or most of the “lower level” terrorists, so there’s no one else to release except the big guys.
I had read that the goal of Hamas is to empty Israel’s prisons of all of their terrorists.
Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli “demanded full transparency regarding the identities and backgrounds of any terrorists released in future deals, criticizing previous lack of disclosure.”
https://www.jns.org/smotrich-blasts-gaza-aid-policy-chikli-warns-on-hostage-deal/
Europa Press
When you read of the previous sins of some of the terrorists who are released, it makes your blood run cold.
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There is then, also concern because the IDF would be required to partially withdraw from Gaza. To come this close, and then to give Hamas breathing time and the opportunity to regroup? To know that they would booby-trap the areas to which our soldiers would return, so that additional numbers might be lost.
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Where are we now?
Trump had announced that Israel accepted the terms of the ceasefire deal.
Hamas then indicated acceptance as well but indicated the need for some changes.
Netanyahu announced Saturday night that those changes were not acceptable:
“Among the key demands submitted by the terror organization are the cessation of the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Fund, a gradual withdrawal of the IDF to positions agreed upon in the previous agreement and guarantees that fighting will not resume after the 60-day ceasefire. (Emphasis added.)
“According to a source, ‘Egypt, Qatar, and the US must provide guarantees for the continuation of the process. [i.e., continued negotiations aimed at permanently ending the fighting].’ Another source noted that disputes remain regarding the distribution of aid, the Rafah crossing, and the precise timeline for the withdrawal of IDF forces.”
Nonetheless, Netanyahu sent our negotiating team to Doha today (Sunday).
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411178
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Netanyahu left today for the US and meetings with Trump tomorrow, sounding an optimistic note as he left: “We’re working for Gaza deal on our terms; ultimately, Hamas won’t be there.” (Emphasis added)
Lazar Berman/ToI
Trump still sounded positive, but less so, stating – according to one report – that there “could” be a ceasefire soon, but things might change. According to the Times of Israel, however, Trump wants to “finalize the framework for ending the war” on Monday. We have yet to see exactly what this means, but it’s unsettling. Trump is known for his lack of patience and his penchant for resolving problems quickly.
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It may be that, working with Bibi, Trump will agree to a deal for ending the war that requires the end of Hamas. That certainly is what our prime minister is intent on seeing happen.
But if Trump pushes for an “end of war” deal that presents a threat to Israel, our prime minister must find the strength to refuse it.
Stand strong, Bibi!
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It might also be that Hamas will agree to nothing that is proposed, and we will continue to fight until they are finished. It is understood in this scenario that we would bring out the hostages – they would not be forgotten.
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Many other issues are to be discussed in the White House tomorrow as well.
Hold tight and stay tuned.
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I ask for prayers for all of Am Yisrael.
Pray for the wisdom and courage of our leaders.
Pray for the safety of our soldiers as they fight.
Pray for the recovery of all hostages.
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©Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by independent journalist Arlene Kushner. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper attribution.
This Trump 2.0 is one who believes you can negotiate with terrorists. How different is that attitude from Obama’s? (Hint: no different) How different is that attitude from the CIA that has propped up the Iranian genocidal regime for over 40 years?
I have been a Trump supporter especially on issues of economic policy and national security, (the two are one, in his mind) but his policy in the Middle East is destructive to the people of the Middle East.
Letting the Ayatollahs live to destroy Israel and their own people hurts the Iranian people AND all the other people of the world. In doing so Trump was a friend to no one.
Trying to force Israel to stop fighting Hamas before victory only emboldens Islamic terrorism and in so doing is an enemy to all freedom loving people of the world.
Trying to force Israel to give in to Jolani in Syria once again is a threat to the Druze of Syria and the people of Israel, and is destructive to the security of the Middle East. If I were a country in the Middle East, I’d be worried when Trump would offer “help” like that to my country.
His determination for “peace” is a surface determination that cannot be won by appeasing violent and genocidal Muslim terrorists. It is a recipe for more war.
Trump may be attempting to re-work the old word order under the CIA. If so, I give him credit. But his current Middle East policy doesn’t seem any different from the continuous Middle East policy decided by globalists for over 40 years. Every month I wait to see if Trump will show his real affection for Israel, but every month his actions in the Middle East look grimmer and grimmer. What am I missing?
Did Trump gaslight MAGA about his support for Israel?
An excellent summary of the current situation. The obvious facts are:
Hamas has no intention of wrapping up their tents and going elsewhere. They will try to bargain some deal with the Trump administration to remain in place and prepare for the next round of terror. They have said so repeatedly and as Bibi likes to say, If they keep telling us that they want to kill us, we should believe them.
The guarantors of the so-called peace deal, Qatar, Egypt and USA are all suspect to some degree.
Qatar is not even a party to the fight but they have been fighting on Hamas’ side all along and just adjusted the proposed deal to make it more palatable to Hamas. I didn’t hear of any adjustments by any of the guarantors to make the deal more palatable to Israel.
Egypt has been supporting Hamas directly for decades now making sure they have enough arms to keep up their fight. Why should Israel trust them to guarantee anything except the further undisclosed supplies to Hamas.
USA, as repeatedly pointed out in the article, seems to have no further thoughts except to get an unseen deal that they can check off. That is not good enough. Their bombing of Iranian nuclear sites after Israel insured that their would be no resistance is not enough of a feather in their caps as a low-level red-indian would sport in his headdress.
Nobody else is stepping up to the plate. The EU are only concerned with their supplies of oil from the Middle East. The Russians would not say anything, but they so love messing around in other people’s affairs (doesn’t this sound a lot like the not yet under control CIA?) that they can’t keep that urge under control.
As mentioned in other articles on this site, the Chinese are backing up Egypt to the hilt and want nothing other than for Egypt to attack Israel to keep Israel busy while the Chinese expand their grip on other countries. They see Israel as a problem for their future long-term planning and would love to see it brought down a dozen pegs or so.
As mentioned above in passing, the CIA is out of control and has been for years now. Even when it seems as if they are doing something useful for the USA, they are not even trusted by their own compatriots not to speak of their own government. There was a statement going around a few years ago that the CIA would find plenty of ways to bring down anyone in their way, even the president.
Israel must come to its senses and realize, as said often enough before, that it must stand up for itself, no-one else will. If we depend on anyone else, we are sure to be dismayed by the results and/or coerced into something we don’t want.
I agree with all of the above