Tel Aviv / PNN /

Israel’s Security Cabinet held a secret meeting overnight that lasted about six hours in a fortified government bunker under heavy Shin Bet protection, amid fears of potential retaliatory attacks by Houthi forces.

Discussions focused on military plans in Gaza and a proposed partial prisoner swap, which would release 10 living prisoners and 18 bodies in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire during which a comprehensive agreement to end hostilities would be negotiated.

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir outlined the benefits of the partial deal and supported moving forward, but the majority of ministers opposed it and requested a vote. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the proposal, saying it was not currently up for discussion, while some ministers, including Gideon Sa’ar, expressed openness to a partial agreement.

According to Cabinet sources, Netanyahu said there was no need to vote on the draft agreement Hamas had approved, as it was irrelevant to ongoing plans. The debate centered on operational plans to control Gaza, and the Cabinet did not vote on any deal.

Maariv reported that the Israeli army presented ministers with a detailed plan for controlling Gaza during the meeting. Regarding the prisoner swap, the report said Israel emphasized that talks would only begin once operations in Gaza had started.

Netanyahu reportedly noted that Minister Ron Dermer is conducting behind-the-scenes discussions with U.S. officials about a comprehensive deal, aiming to establish shared red lines. Israel indicated that once the military operation begins, negotiations would intensify, potentially leading Hamas to agree to release more hostages than the initially proposed 10.

Israeli estimates suggest a partial deal could pave the way for a full agreement, although the current aim remains a comprehensive swap, contingent on the outcomes of operations in Gaza and their regional impact, particularly regarding the U.S. stance.

On the issue of West Bank annexation, a Jerusalem Post correspondent reported that Washington has no official position on applying sovereignty. The U.S. is not blocking Israel from discussing the matter but is waiting for the Israeli government’s decision before announcing its own stance, while attempting to push Netanyahu toward a right-leaning position.