Top Israeli generals in favour of Gaza truce for hostage, Hezbollah deals

Top Israeli generals are in favour of reaching a ceasefire in Gaza even if it means keeping Hamas in power for the time being, the New York Times has reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and many in his far-right coalition have vowed to continue the war on Gaza – nearly in its tenth month – until Hamas is dismantled. But top Israeli generals who spoke to NYT say a ceasefire could be ideal for freeing remaining captives in Gaza.

On October 7, when Hamas led an attack in southern Israel, around 1,190 people were killed, and some 250 others were taken captive. Israeli authorities say about 116 remain held in the Gaza Strip, some of them already dead.

In the north, Israel has also been engaged in fierce cross-border clashes with Lebanon’s powerful Iran-backed Shia Hezbollah militant group, which has refused to back down from fighting until a ceasefire is reached in Gaza.

The generals, who spoke anonymously to the NYT said that a ceasefire in Gaza could give the underequipped Israeli military more time to recuperate in case of an Israeli land invasion of south Lebanon against Hezbollah, something Tel Aviv has been threatening to do for months.

Since last week, however, some Israeli officials have said they prefer a diplomatic solution with Hezbollah, not ruling out military action.

The US is trying to mediate a settlement between Lebanon and Israel.

A truce with Hamas could make it easier to reach a truce on the Lebanon frontier with Hezbollah, the generals told NYT.

Responding to the article, Netanyahu said in a statement that Israel would end the Gaza war "only after we have achieved all of its objectives, including the elimination of Hamas and the release of all of our hostages".

The Israeli generals' comments to NYT reflect the deepening rift in Israeli politics, as Netanyahu remains at odds with some senior ministers over future plans for Gaza. The premier dissolved his war cabinet in June after the resignation of Benny Gantz.

Two senior Israeli officials – head of the National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, and military spokesman Daniel Hagari – both said last month that Hamas as an idea could not be eliminated.

The Palestinian group has refused to be set aside in any post-war plans for Gaza, but Israel says it refuses to allow the group to govern the territory.

Mediators Qatar, Egypt and the US have failed to make a breakthrough in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, as the Israeli military continues to pummel Gaza, killing nearly 38,000 people since October 7, mostly women and children.