Israel’s army chief pushed captive deal but Netanyahu dismissed it: Report

Former Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire deal that would have freed all captives in Gaza before last year’s Rafah assault, but the premier rejected it outright, according to a report by public broadcaster Kan.

Unnamed officials told the outlet that in the months leading up to the assault on Rafah in 2024, Halevi pressed for a single-phase agreement to secure the release of every captive.

When Halevi raised the proposal at a meeting of the security cabinet, Netanyahu dismissed it immediately, reportedly describing it as “defeat.” Kan said the rejection was so decisive that the plan was never passed to negotiators working on a ceasefire. Instead, Netanyahu’s government pursued a phased arrangement.

Last month, Hamas announced its acceptance of a partial ceasefire plan that mirrored one previously backed by Israel. Jerusalem has yet to formally respond, and Netanyahu has reportedly told ministers the deal is “not on the table.”