Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is making a last-ditch effort to finalize his country's stance on a potential hostage deal with Hamas, just hours before his scheduled departure to Washington D.C.
Sources close to the negotiations tell CNN that Netanyahu is meeting with Israel's hostage negotiation team today, in what appears to be a crucial moment for the ongoing crisis. The urgency of the situation is palpable, with officials pushing to approve Israel's updated position before the Prime Minister's high-stakes meeting with President Biden.
Key points of contention include:
• The strategic Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border
• Security arrangements at the Rafah crossing
• Proposed changes to the deal framework suggested by US officials
In a surprising twist, US and other mediators have reportedly advised Hamas to disregard some of Netanyahu's recent public statements, characterizing them as political posturing rather than official negotiating positions.
"This is a critical juncture," says Dr. Sarah Hirschhorn, Middle East analyst at Tel Aviv University. "Netanyahu is walking a tightrope between domestic political pressures and international expectations."
Meanwhile, public pressure continues to mount. Demonstrators gathered in Tel Aviv and across Israel last night, demanding progress on the hostage release and calling for new elections.
As Netanyahu prepares to board his flight to Washington, the question on everyone's mind is whether he'll arrive with a breakthrough or if the fate of the hostages will remain uncertain.
* Kann 11 News contributed to this article.