Three non-negotiables for Israel in the second hostage deal phase

Commentary: Mediators must ensure Gaza is demilitarized, Hamas surrenders control and future hostage releases avoid becoming chaotic public spectacles; while the deal marks progress, Israel cannot tolerate jihadist militias along its border

The overwhelming joy that swept across Israel on Sunday, as Doron Steinbrecher, Emily Damari and Romi Gonen were released from Hamas captivity, sends a clear message to the government and security officials: every hostage must be brought home, especially the living.
Failure to achieve this would leave an open wound with devastating consequences for Israel’s social cohesion and collective morale. No military victory will be complete, and the nation’s security will remain compromised until all the hostages are returned. This remains true despite the widely acknowledged risks, including the heavy toll that releasing large numbers of convicted terrorists may entail.
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החטופות מגיעות לבית חולים שיבא ונפגשות עם משפחותיהן
החטופות מגיעות לבית חולים שיבא ונפגשות עם משפחותיהן
The Israeli hostages reunited with their families
(Photo: GPO)
Serious preparations must be made for the next phase of negotiations, knowing it could lead to a longstanding cease-fire. Israel cannot allow armed jihadist organizations to maintain a military presence in Gaza. It is also crucial to recognize that Hamas is not an external, fanatical religious force imposed on Gaza’s population; rather, it is an authentic organizational expression of the aspirations held by the majority of the more than two million residents of Gaza. Culturally, ideologically and politically, Hamas and Gaza are deeply intertwined.
To ensure the safety of Israeli citizens, particularly those in the western Negev, practical and clear demands must be articulated for the cessation of hostilities. Vague terms like "toppling Hamas" or "total victory" are abstract slogans suited to literature and poetry, not realistic objectives for a responsible government confronting a brutal ideological adversary.
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While it is unlikely Israel can eliminate every Hamas operative or forcefully expel the organization’s leadership, it can and must demand the demilitarization of Gaza. This includes the dismantling of all terrorist infrastructure—tunnels, rocket launchers, mortars and explosive devices. If no international body can enforce this, the IDF will have to undertake this task, even if it takes more than a year.
The second demand should be the removal of Hamas from power in Gaza. This may not require significant effort from Israel. Hamas has repeatedly indicated, including recently, that it does not wish to shoulder civilian governance responsibilities in Gaza, preferring instead to operate as an armed political entity akin to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Under such a model, Hamas would continue its activities as a “resistance” movement while avoiding the burdens of meeting the population’s needs. Israel should welcome Hamas relinquishing its governing role but must oppose any arrangement that allows the group to retain arms under tacit international approval.
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רומי גונן, אמילי דמארי,דורון שטיינברכר
רומי גונן, אמילי דמארי,דורון שטיינברכר
(Photo: IDF)
These two core demands—Hamas relinquishing its governing role and Gaza’s demilitarization—should form the cornerstone of Israel’s approach in the second phase of negotiations. These conditions will likely gain the support of the U.S. administration under President-elect Donald Trump and the broader international community. No party could reasonably oppose Israel’s call for a demilitarized Gaza.
Finally, after the intense and emotional hours of waiting for Steinbrecher, Damari and Gonen to be released, Israel must insist that future hostage releases are conducted away from public spectacles. Hamas exploited the release of the three women as an opportunity for a public display of power—a poorly organized and unimpressive event in Gaza City featuring only a few dozen armed men. The chaotic scene posed unnecessary risks to the safety of the Israeli hostages. Israel must demand that mediators, including the Red Cross, ensure that future handovers occur in secure and discreet locations, far from unruly crowds.
In these joyous hours of homecoming, it is essential to express gratitude to the individuals whose efforts brought the hostages back to Israeli soil. Thanks to the determined fighting and bravery of IDF soldiers, Hamas was forced to agree to the compromise framework.
Equally significant are the contributions of those working behind the scenes—Shin Bet and Mossad operatives and their leaders, including Mossad Director David Barnea, who successfully persuaded the political leadership to adopt the compromise; Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, whose team provided critical intelligence; and Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon, whose dedicated work ensured not only the hostages’ release but also prevented the loss of many lives during combat. These humble yet heroic individuals deserve the nation’s deepest gratitude.
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