On August 13, 2025, Al Jazeera reported that Ron Dermer, Israel’s minister of strategic affairs and a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed serious doubts about the practicality of reaching partial ceasefire and hostage exchange deals with Hamas, citing limited time as a major constraint.
Dermer told Israeli media, including Channel 12, that Israel cannot afford to accept partial agreements that would prolong negotiations. He noted that mediators might propose incremental steps to gradually free hostages, but emphasized that Israel simply does not have the luxury of time.
He highlighted the urgency from both Israel’s and the US’s perspectives, mentioning that even the US President Donald Trump would agree that the war cannot drag on indefinitely. Dermer expressed concern that a possible 60-day truce could weaken Israel’s political and military standing, leaving it without the leverage to restart fighting on favorable terms.
These remarks came amid high-level security cabinet discussions on Israel’s next moves in Gaza and negotiations with Hamas. Dermer’s firm stance supports Netanyahu’s strategy of continuing a robust military campaign until Hamas is fully disarmed and the conflict ends decisively.
According to leaked cabinet notes, Dermer strongly rejects partial ceasefires that fail to resolve the war, insisting Israel will not end hostilities while Hamas remains in control.
Overall, his comments align with plans to intensify military operations, including taking control of Gaza City, and reflect Netanyahu’s dismissal of gradual negotiation approaches. The focus remains on exerting maximum pressure on Hamas, avoiding compromises or temporary solutions that could prolong the conflict.
Dermer’s position underscores the strategic belief that time is critical and that ceasefire talks falling short of Israel’s full war aims are not feasible.
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