Netanyahu throws cold water on hostage release deal finalization ahead of new US bridging proposal

State Sec. Blinken expected in Israel next week to suggest IDF almost complete IDF withdrawal from Philadelphi Corridor

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threw cold water on reports that a ceasefire–hostage release deal is nearly finalized. In an interview with 'Fox & Friends' on Thursday, Netanyahu said it's a "false narrative" to say "there's a deal out there."

The prime minister stressed that while Israel has agreed to several U.S.-mediated proposals, Hamas had consistently refused them all.

"They don’t agree to anything: Not to the Philadelphi Corridor, not to the keys of exchanging hostages for jailed terrorists, not to anything," Netanyahu said. "They just want us out of Gaza so they can retake Gaza and do as they vowed to do."

His remarks dismissed a Jerusalem Post report on Wednesday that quoted a senior Biden administration official saying “Basically, 90% of this deal has been agreed on.”

It seems that significant gaps remain, including a disagreement over who will control the Philadelphi Corridor as the phases of the deal move forward.

Netanyahu insists that Israel maintain control of the border between Gaza and Egypt, a route through which much of the ammunition and terror infrastructure have been smuggled into the strip over the years, turning Gaza into a Hamas stronghold.

In his presentation to the foreign press on Wednesday, the prime minister signaled he would be willing to reduce the presence of IDF troops along Gaza’s southern border, as part of a hostage release deal.

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Meanwhile, the White House is reportedly putting together a new, final bridging proposal. According to Ynet News, it will likely be revealed over the upcoming weekend.

Ynet added that U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is scheduled to visit Israel next week to promote a compromise. The shaping offer will reportedly include a new phase to the deal after the release of the hostages has been completed. At this stage, Israel would be required to withdraw its forces from most of the Philadelphi Corridor but would be allowed to maintain some presence between the Rafah crossing and the Kerem Shalom crossing.

However, even if Israel were to agree to the new proposed terms, there is no indication that Hamas' top leader Yahya Sinwar would accept them.

Moreover, the Philadelphi Corridor is not the only outstanding sticking point in the negotiations. Israel and Hamas have so far failed to agree on the number of living hostages who will be released in the first phase; the identity and number of Palestinian prisoners who will be released in exchange, and to where they will be released; the conditions under which Gazans will be allowed to return to the northern part of the Strip; and the withdrawal of the IDF from other populated areas.

There are currently 101 remaining hostages in Hamas captivity, among them four dual Israeli-American citizens. At least 60 hostages are presumed to still be alive.