Israeli Leaders Debate Cease-Fire While Fighting Continues in Gaza

Right-wing partners threaten to drop out of Netanyahu’s coalition but a centrist leader said he'll join if it will help lead to a hostage deal.

Supporters and relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks hold placards and national flags during a demonstration to demand their release in Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 6, 2024. Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images

With some movement toward a resumption of Gaza cease-fire talks and an Israeli delegation having traveled for preliminary discussions with Qatari mediators, Israeli leaders jockeyed for position over what the nation might find acceptable.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on July 7 that any deal must allow Israel to keep fighting until it achieves its war objectives. He said it must prohibit weapons smuggling to Hamas via the Gaza Strip’s Egyptian border and block the return to northern Gaza of thousands of armed terrorists.