Daniel Estrin

And Israel saw that Hamas was benefiting from the lack of war. and from talks continuing in recent weeks without giving up more hostages. And so here we are.

It does benefit him politically because he has this deadline. He has to pass a national budget in two weeks or his government could collapse. And so returning to war allows him to convince his far-right ally, Itamar Ben-Gvir, to rejoin the coalition now. It strengthens his coalition. He can support a new budget.

It does benefit him politically because he has this deadline. He has to pass a national budget in two weeks or his government could collapse. And so returning to war allows him to convince his far-right ally, Itamar Ben-Gvir, to rejoin the coalition now. It strengthens his coalition. He can support a new budget.

It does benefit him politically because he has this deadline. He has to pass a national budget in two weeks or his government could collapse. And so returning to war allows him to convince his far-right ally, Itamar Ben-Gvir, to rejoin the coalition now. It strengthens his coalition. He can support a new budget.

It allows Netanyahu to distract from a move he tried to fire his domestic security chief, which is sparking street protests. We could see this round of strikes in Gaza lasting another couple weeks until Netanyahu can pass a budget. and until he has more flexibility to maybe resume a ceasefire then.

It allows Netanyahu to distract from a move he tried to fire his domestic security chief, which is sparking street protests. We could see this round of strikes in Gaza lasting another couple weeks until Netanyahu can pass a budget. and until he has more flexibility to maybe resume a ceasefire then.

It allows Netanyahu to distract from a move he tried to fire his domestic security chief, which is sparking street protests. We could see this round of strikes in Gaza lasting another couple weeks until Netanyahu can pass a budget. and until he has more flexibility to maybe resume a ceasefire then.

Ceasefire negotiations reached a dead end in recent days. Israel and Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, had been laying down new terms for Hamas. The terms were to release half of the living hostages Hamas has in Gaza and then to begin discussing the end of the war after that.

Ceasefire negotiations reached a dead end in recent days. Israel and Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, had been laying down new terms for Hamas. The terms were to release half of the living hostages Hamas has in Gaza and then to begin discussing the end of the war after that.

First, give us the Statue of Liberty.

First, give us the Statue of Liberty.

Israel's offensive is dubbed Operation Strength and Sword. An internal Israeli government memo obtained by NPR says, Israel is returning to intensified fighting in Gaza. Israel says its offensive is to press Hamas to accept a proposal by President Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff for the release of more Israeli hostages. Hamas offered a counterproposal last week, which the U.S. and Israel rejected.

Israel's offensive is dubbed Operation Strength and Sword. An internal Israeli government memo obtained by NPR says, Israel is returning to intensified fighting in Gaza. Israel says its offensive is to press Hamas to accept a proposal by President Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff for the release of more Israeli hostages. Hamas offered a counterproposal last week, which the U.S. and Israel rejected.

Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim, based in Qatar, told NPR that mediators have not presented Hamas with a new framework for a ceasefire. Naim says the U.S. must, quote, intervene immediately to stop this aggression, and for Israel to adhere to a January agreement to enter talks for a permanent end of the war. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim, based in Qatar, told NPR that mediators have not presented Hamas with a new framework for a ceasefire. Naim says the U.S. must, quote, intervene immediately to stop this aggression, and for Israel to adhere to a January agreement to enter talks for a permanent end of the war. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Israel is demanding the immediate release of 11 out of the 24 living hostages still held in Gaza. The U.S. is calling for an exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners and an extension of the ceasefire for many weeks to try to reach a permanent end of the war. Hamas says it will release one living American Israeli hostage, but is demanding immediate talks on permanently ending the war.

Israel is demanding the immediate release of 11 out of the 24 living hostages still held in Gaza. The U.S. is calling for an exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners and an extension of the ceasefire for many weeks to try to reach a permanent end of the war. Hamas says it will release one living American Israeli hostage, but is demanding immediate talks on permanently ending the war.

Israel is not yet ready to commit to an end of the war, with Hamas still ruling Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he wants to fire his domestic intelligence chief because he has lost trust in him. The security chief has been a main proponent of a hostage release deal with Hamas. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Israel is not yet ready to commit to an end of the war, with Hamas still ruling Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he wants to fire his domestic intelligence chief because he has lost trust in him. The security chief has been a main proponent of a hostage release deal with Hamas. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Trump's envoy Adam Boehler held secret direct talks recently with Hamas, which he spoke about on CNN yesterday.