Men watch as smoke rises from Israeli strikes on Gaza, October 3, 2025 (CNN)
EA on International Outlets: The Trump-Netanyahu Ultimatum to Hamas
UPDATE 1703 GMT:
I chat with Times Radio’s Alexis Conran about the state of the forthcoming negotiations between Hamas and the Netanyahu Government over Donald Trump’s 20-point “sketch”.
I highlight Hamas’s tactic — negotiating while taking the line that “nothing is agreed until everything is agreed” — and consider whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will compromise on his Government’s objective for military occupation of Gaza.
I also cut to the chase about Trump’s deployment of the National Guard on the streets of Chicago. It has nothing to do with the situation in the city, and everything to do with Trump’s quest for expansion of his power, including the militarization of US society and the mass detention and deportation of migrants and asylum seekers.
ORIGINAL ENTRY: I joined France 24 English on Saturday for an 8 1/2-minute analysis of the advent of negotiations between Hamas and Israel’s Netanyahu Government over Donald Trump’s 20-point “sketch” for Gaza.
I evaluate Hamas putting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the defensive with its announcement, endorsed by Trump, that it will discuss the release of the remaining 20 hostages and 28 bodies as well as issues such as Israeli withdrawal, disarmament, and arrangements for governance and security.
I detail Netanyahu’s reluctant acceptance of the discussions. I explain how he is trying to hold off on any significant withdrawal while maneuvering with the far-right ministers in his Cabinet.
And I emphasize that, given the vagueness of Trump’s sketch and the distance between the two parties, the process may be difficult despite the hopes of Gazans and many Israelis for an end to the mass killing.
