Back to War? Netanyahu cancels moving to Phase Two of Gaza Ceasefire

Conflicts Forum’s compilation tracking strategic developments in Israel, 3 March 2025

Netanyahu Adviser: ‘Implementation of Phase 2 -- cessation of war & complete withdrawal from Gaza -- is an imaginary, impossible and unacceptable event’

Uri Misgav: ‘The lying swindler's court is once again spreading lies everywhere’

Times of Israel reports no US confirmation Witkoff behind new proposal touted by Netanyahu — ‘It’s more of an Israeli plan’

Powerful Testimony from released Israeli hostages: Eli Sharabi: “Israel can't rescue hostages via military operation”

As Ben Caspit outlines, negotiations for Phase Two (supposed to begin three weeks ago) were to focus on the release of the remaining Israel hostages, estimated to number 59, of which 22 to 24 are believed alive, and the release of Palestinian prisoners. In addition, all hostilities would end and Israel was to withdraw from Gaza. However —

Israel has balked at moving ahead with the talks … as the end game would mean pulling all its forces from Gaza and declaring an end to the war with Hamas … [Netanyahu] has resorted to foot dragging, his favorite tactic …

Caspit quotes one of Netanyahu's advisers:

"As far as Netanyahu is concerned, the implementation of phase 2, which means the cessation of the war and the complete withdrawal of the military from Gaza, is an imaginary, impossible and unacceptable event” ...

Caspit continues:

Polling last week by Maariv found that 70% of respondents favor a deal that would release the remaining hostages in one go, rather than the staggered returns of the first phase. In recent interviews, however, Smotrich … said that Israel is poised to resume fighting with far greater force to annihilate Hamas once and for all … [At the moment] Trump appears torn between pressure by the Saudis, for a complete ceasefire and Israel's withdrawal from Gaza before discussing any sort of normalization; by his benefactress Miriam Adelson, who has strenuously advocated for a return of all Israeli hostages; and the insistent Washington lobbying of Strategic Affairs Minister Dermer … who wants the administration's support if Israel decides to continue fighting in Gaza.

Hamas’ response:

"We confirm our full commitment to the ceasefire agreement, in all its aspects and provisions, and our willingness to enter into negotiations related to the second phase of the agreement. We emphasize the importance of mediators, the international community, and all relevant parties taking immediate and serious steps to oblige the occupation to abide by the terms of the agreement and to act to prevent Netanyahu and his criminal government from blocking and thwarting it”.

Back to war?

Netanyahu is considering a resumption of the war if Hamas refuses to accept what he has claimed is “Witkoff’s proposal”. Kan Radio reports:

“Israel has drafted plans to ratchet up pressure on Hamas in the course of this week. The plan, which has been named the ‘Hell Plan,’ includes following up the decision to halt the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza with displacing residents from the northern Gaza Strip to the south, halting the supply of electricity and a resumption of full-scale fighting.”