The IDF’s work to eliminate Hamas continues to grind on, with much of the fighting having moved to the southern section of the Gaza Strip. But there may be another “pause” coming, depending on how Hamas responds to Israel’s latest outreach. Once again working through mediators in Qatar, Netanyahu is reportedly offering a pause in the fighting of at least one week if Hamas releases more than three dozen hostages.  The problem is that Hamas has continued to insist that they will not participate in any more negotiations unless Israel first stops its military operations. That may change this week, however, because with the terror tunnels being flooded, Hamas is running out of places to hide. (Axios)

Israel is offering to pause the fighting in Gaza for at least one week as part of a new deal to get Hamas to release more than three dozen hostages the terror group is holding, two Israeli officials and another source with knowledge of the situation told Axios.

The proposal, made through Qatari mediators, is the first Israel has offered since the collapse of a deal last month that led to a seven-day ceasefire and the release of more than 100 hostages.

Israeli officials say the proposal shows Israel is determined to relaunch serious negotiations for the release of more hostages, even as Hamas has said it will not resume negotiations as long as the fighting continues.

About 130 Israeli and foreign nationals are still being held hostage in Gaza. White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Tuesday that includes eight Americans.

Even if it turns out to be unproductive, this is a good public relations move on Israel’s part. During the previous ceasefire, Israel kept all of its promises and secured the release of at least some of the hostages. It was Hamas that broke the agreement by resuming rocket attacks around Jerusalem. Israel has also continued to send truckloads of relief aid into Gaza despite knowing that Hamas is probably stealing most of it and keeping it for themselves.

While Hamas is still insisting on a total capitulation, we have no way of knowing precisely what they have to offer in exchange for any sort of relief. We don’t know how many of the remaining hostages are even alive. We keep being told that the number is roughly 130, with at least eight Americans included. But what we do know is that when Ahmad Kahlot was giving his taped confession this week, he admitted to moving the “bodies” of hostages in his hospital’s ambulances. That means they were dead.

Some of the hostages may still be alive after all this time, and I certainly hope that’s the case. But Hamas has repeatedly proven that they can not be trusted and anything their spokespeople say must be taken with a very huge grain of salt. Unfortunately, given the lack of “proof of life” being offered, it’s entirely possible that they don’t want to negotiate because they don’t have any living hostages left to trade.

Barring any further positive indications, there doesn’t seem to be any reason for the current progress to be discontinued. Israel has put the offer on the table in good faith. If Hamas wishes to reject that offer, the IDF needs to continue flooding the tunnels and root out every last Hamas fighter. Whether they are removed from Gaza alive as prisoners or in body bags doesn’t really matter. Every last element of Hamas must be destroyed if there is to be any hope for a lasting peace.

If that much is accomplished, the next phase of the process can begin and that part may be even more difficult in many ways. Israel may have to remain in Gaza for a while to oversee the distribution of aid and the reconstruction process. Of course, that would only reinforce the claims that they are “occupiers” on American college campuses. Still, somebody will have to take over the governance of Gaza and the Palestinian Authority has already said they don’t want the job, despite the demands of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. If there are actually Palestinians in Gaze who want to live in peace alongside Israel (which is doubtful at best), they’re going to need to figure out who they want to lead them.