Israel has urged senior Hamas leaders to depart the Gaza Strip as part of broader ceasefire negotiations. A major television outlet reported this, citing two unnamed officials familiar with the discussions.
The report noted that during Israel’s long-running operation in Gaza, it did not capture any of Hamas’s top leadership, a factor that could shape regional dynamics if true.
CNN suggested that if such a move were to take place, it might reduce Hamas’s influence in the area and potentially allow Israel to pursue high-value targets abroad. The channel also cautioned that Hamas could resist such a scenario, given the strategic and logistical considerations involved.
CNN sources indicated that Israel’s proposal has been discussed on at least two occasions over recent weeks as part of ongoing, wide-ranging ceasefire talks. In late discussions, the head of Israeli intelligence reportedly traveled to Warsaw with the Mossad director and then to Doha to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken as part of the same diplomatic track.
U.S. and international officials familiar with the negotiations described the talks as promising in tone, though they stressed that a formal deal did not appear imminent at that stage.
Reports from Axios, citing sources, claimed that Israel, working through intermediaries in Qatar and Egypt, had floated an offer to Hamas to halt hostilities in Gaza for about two months as a possible framework for negotiations.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly pledged to dismantle Hamas, a stance that has shaped the political and security context surrounding any ceasefire discussions.
These developments come amid broader efforts by regional and international actors to secure a durable agreement that could ease humanitarian access and reduce civilian suffering in Gaza, while addressing security concerns for Israel and broader regional stability.
Analysts note that the absence of concrete, on-the-ground leadership moves from Hamas could influence the trajectory of talks, the commitment of involved parties, and the potential for verification mechanisms. Observers emphasize that any agreement would require careful coordination among multiple mediators, including regional powers and international allies, to monitor compliance and prevent renewed escalation.
Diplomatic channels have remained active, with discussions continuing behind the scenes across different capitals. The next steps for negotiators are likely to focus on confidence-building measures, the sequencing of any ceasefire, and the establishment of channels to address humanitarian relief, reconstruction, and security arrangements upon possible future accords.
For the moment, officials on all sides stress that while talks have produced cautious optimism, a durable resolution remains elusive, and the situation on the ground continues to hinge on complex political calculations, external pressures, and the unpredictable dynamics of regional diplomacy.