Israeli Military Chief Urges Netanyahu to Accept Gaza Hostage Deal

Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir has strongly urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a hostage deal that offers a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, during which 10 living hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Zamir emphasized that the military has created the conditions necessary for the deal, warning that a full-scale occupation of Gaza City could endanger the lives of the remaining hostages, some of whom are believed to be held in the city. Families of the hostages and public protests across Israel have increased pressure on Netanyahu to seize this opportunity, accusing him of delaying tactics despite the deal being accepted by Hamas and mediated by US envoy Steve Witkoff. Netanyahu faces opposition within his right-wing coalition against any ceasefire, complicating the political landscape. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz has approved military plans for an assault on Gaza City, even as mediators await Netanyahu's official response to the Egyptian-Qatari proposal aligned with prior Israeli positions. The hostage families' urgent calls and Zamir's warnings highlight the critical window for a peaceful resolution that could prevent further loss of life and potentially end the war.