Israel’s political leadership will grant Hamas a few more days to decide on a ceasefire-and-hostage deal before ordering new military action in Gaza, an Israeli military source told the Hebrew-language outlet Walla on Sunday.
A political official involved in the talks said “the ball is in Hamas’s court,” adding no progress was made on core issues in recent hours. The official said the terms are clear to all parties, including mediators: Hamas must agree to a truce that frees hostages while Israel halts fire.
Senior defense officials cited by Walla expect the cabinet to offer this “final opportunity” to ease pressure before authorizing “complex” operations. If Hamas digs in, the government will convene to approve next steps, they said.
“It’s obvious military pressure alone can shift Hamas’s position—that’s what brought them back to negotiations,” one source said, noting Israel still has multiple scenarios on the table, from a ground maneuver to a push for decisive victory.
The report said U.S. pressure remains high and that, despite Israeli concessions in Doha, internal debate continues within Hamas. To buy time and keep talks alive, the group has adopted its familiar “yes, but” formula, the source claimed.