In an interview on Radio 103FM, Ofer asserted that a significant detail in the deal with Hamas has been hidden from the Israeli public: "The demand in the first part of the hostages' deal is that on the seventh day, the IDF will withdraw from the Nitzanim route, and a million Gazans will start moving back to Gaza City. This point is not being disclosed to the Israeli public. The practical implication of a million Gazans returning to Gaza is essentially the end of the fighting."
He added, "Why did we secure the first hostage deal? Because of the storm we caused by entering the northern Gaza Strip. I suggest we reoccupy the northern Gaza Strip with intensity. There are no hostages in the northern Gaza Strip."
As previously reported, the main issue that the Israeli delegation is trying to bridge involves the Philadelphi route, where Israel insists on maintaining IDF forces, while Hamas demands its immediate evacuation.
About three days ago, the political-security cabinet decided by a majority of eight supporters, against one objection (Minister Yoav Galant) and one abstention (Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir), to approve maps stipulating the IDF's continued presence along the Philadelphi route as part of a possible hostage release deal, according to sources present at the meeting. According to these sources, this step confirmed that the IDF will remain on the Philadelphi route. The maps were drawn up by the IDF and adopted by the United States as part of the hostages' return plan. Cabinet members stated during the discussion that this decision brings the possibility of a deal closer, as it clarifies to Hamas that it will need to compromise on the Philadelphi issue, just as it compromised on its demand to end the war.
