Flanked from the Right

Photo: Flash90 Images

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After Hamas publicly rejected Israel’s proposal to extend the first phase of the deal, no hostages were released last Shabbos, for the first time in weeks.

Hamas’s stance led to the dramatic announcement at midnight Motzaei Shabbos that the Israeli cabinet had accepted Trump envoy Steve Witkoff’s proposal, to extend the ceasefire through Ramadan and Pesach in exchange for half the remaining hostages being released on day one. The rest would be released on the final day, once a permanent ceasefire is negotiated.

Israel remains skeptical of the proposal, but is willing to give Witkoff — due to arrive in the region this week — a window to exert pressure on Hamas. Paradoxically, Bibi’s dilemma is compounded by the relative freedom of action America appears to be leaving him. Netanyahu has always excelled at finding excuses to avoid taking action. One time it’s the High Court, another time the attorney general, again the defense minister or the chief of staff. But America’s veto has long been the most effective excuse.

That excuse has vanished ever since President Trump flanked Bibi from the right, advising him to demand the release of all the hostages. The public pressure and petty humiliations Bibi became accustomed to during the Obama and Biden administrations are now reserved for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.