Israel
JC Israel briefing Day 541: Hamas puts new ceasefire deal on table
But protests urging an agreement to bring home the hostages continue on the streets of Israel
March 30, 2025 09:16
But protests urging an agreement to bring home the hostages continue on the streets of Israel
March 30, 2025 09:16Good morning from Israel. Welcome to your JC Israel briefing.
Hamas has put a new ceasefire deal on the table; Israel has told the terror group to double the number of hostages it will free under the proposal. Five hostages would return home in return for a 50-day ceasefire, according to Hamas’ proposal. The Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem announced that it has sent mediators a counter-proposal, and according to the media, it requires that ten hostages be freed. According to Haaretz, Israeli officials say there are big gaps between Jerusalem and Hamas but that discussions will continue.
The diplomatic back-and-forth is taking place amid intense public pressure in Israel. New polling indicates that some seven out of 10 Israelis support a deal far broader than the one under discussion — one to bring all hostages home, even if it comes at the cost of Israel agreeing to end the war without removing Hamas. The figure points to a gap between the government, which does not want to end the war if Hamas is still in power, and the public. Here are three key figures from the Channel 12 poll:
Sixty nine per cent of Israelis back a deal that would see all hostages freed in return for ending the war. Only 21 per cent oppose it.
Even though this clashes with government policy, some 54 per cent of coalition voters support that trade.
Some 70 per cent of the respondents say they do not trust Netanyahu’s government.
Huge numbers of Israelis took to the streets last night, urging an agreement. At the central rally in Hostages Square, survivor Iair Horn said: “Passover is approaching, the festival of freedom. I wish that we all merit a Seder night with the living hostages who must return home, with the deceased hostages who must return for burial, and especially with true freedom.”
He called on the Cabinet: “Let’s reach it with a deal, without fighting, without additional casualties, and especially with our 59 brothers and sisters.” But despite the pressure for a deal, the hostages campaign — and by extension many of the protesters — reject deals that would bring only some hostages home, insisting that Israel must negotiate a deal that brings home all captives in one immediate phase.
The protests have evolved to carry a dual message — freedom for the hostages, and alarm over what demonstrators describe as the government’s efforts to consolidate power. Speaking on stage, Tel Aviv’s mayor issued a major threat in relation to government actions. Tension is intensifying as the nation awaits a Supreme Court decision on whether Netanyahu can dismiss senior legal officials, including the Attorney General.
Alarm is growing among legal figures and opposition leaders, as coalition members have reportedly hinted they may ignore the ruling if it blocks Netanyahu’s plans. In response, Ron Huldai, long-time mayor of Tel Aviv, warned: “If the court rules something is illegal, and someone decides to ignore it — we will stop the country.” He described Tel Aviv as “the capital of freedom and hope… the fortress of human dignity.” Huldai also vowed to fight on until all hostages return, saying: “We will not be silent… we will not retreat — until our home is safe.”
IDF troops have entered Rafah’s Al Janina neighbourhood, as the Air Force has killed dozens of terrorists in strikes across southern Gaza, targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The military reported destroying rocket launchers, weapons depots, and command centres. Near Khan Yunis, terrorists fired three mortars at Israeli forces and detonated an explosive under a bulldozer — no injuries were reported. Hours later, the IDF struck the launch site. In related news, the military admitted it had mistakenly hit ambulances and fire engines in Rafah, misidentifying them during a strike on what it believed were Hamas assets.
As clashes between Israel and Hezbollah escalate, Jerusalem reportedly believes that it can count on US backing for any renewed Lebanon operations. Channel 12 reported that Israeli assessments interpret recent signals from Washington as implicit support for targeted strikes, following Hezbollah rocket fire and Israeli attacks on Dahiyeh and southern Lebanon. Hezbollah is upping the ante, and yesterday, deputy leader Naim Qassem warned: “If Israel does not stand by the ceasefire agreement — we have other options.” He added: “We will not accept a formula in which Israel acts as it pleases while we stand aside.”
The Houthi terrorists who send ballistic missiles to Israel and attack international shipping have been pummelled by American strikes over the weekend, including a round of fire overnight. US warplanes hit targets in the rebel-held capital, Sanaa, as well as the Saada region.
Houthi-owned Al-Masirah network said three strikes hit Saada city and four more struck the nearby Al-Salem district in north-west Yemen. Washington has also stationed four B-2 stealth bombers in Diego Garcia as part of its pressure campaign. The US says it aims to degrade Houthi capabilities, prevent further attacks, and bolster regional security. The air campaign remains active.
Israeli officials are in talks with African countries, discussing the possibility they will accept Palestinians who agree to leave Gaza as immigrants. Israeli media cited officials confirming that talks have taken place but stressing they are exploratory and that no decisions have been made. The talks are thought to be part of an initiative by the Israeli government to enable voluntary emigration from Gaza – an initiative that is taking place in parallel to any Trump plan.
Extremist settlers reportedly carried out attacks in Jinba, West Bank, over the weekend. According to the Associated Press, a dozen settlers beat residents with sticks and rocks.