Jonathan Conricus Slams Imminent Hostage Deal
“This isn’t a deal, it’s surrender,” warns Conricus, as Israel weighs a U.S.-backed framework that may trade hostages for Hamas’s survival.
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As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares for his third White House visit this year, military analyst Jonathan Conricus has voiced strong criticism of a proposed hostage-release framework with Hamas.
Conricus knows what he's talking about. He was the IDF's international spokesperson from 2017 to 2021. Now, he is a senior fellow at the think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies, based in Washington, DC, in the United States. When he says something, it's worth taking note.
In a post on X, Conricus warned that the deal hands Hamas a victory against Israel, citing leaked details that have sparked widespread debate.
In a post on X, Conricus warned that the deal hands Hamas a victory against Israel, citing leaked details that have sparked widespread debate.
According to Conricus, the framework involves Hamas releasing 10 living hostages and 18 bodies over a 60-day ceasefire, while the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would withdraw from Gaza. He highlighted that Hamas would retain power, with international guarantees for an end to hostilities, and Israel would release terrorists while channeling aid through UN-managed systems previously controlled by Hamas. Conricus expressed alarm that the deal falls short of "Total Victory," fails to dismantle Hamas, and does not ensure the return of all hostages, alive or deceased.
The proposal, reported by The New York Times, marks a shift from a May U.S. plan that demanded all hostages be freed by the seventh day of a ceasefire. Instead, the new deal unfolds in five stages, with Hamas agreeing to forgo televised release ceremonies. U.S. officials aim to finalize the agreement during Netanyahu’s upcoming Washington visit, with hopes that Hamas will respond by Friday, potentially prompting an Israeli delegation to Doha for negotiations.
Conricus’s concerns echo opposition within Netanyahu’s coalition, where figures like National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich are pushing back. Ben-Gvir has called for a united front to block the ceasefire, urging an urgent meeting to coordinate a strong joint response.
Despite the tensions, Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Saar described U.S.-led efforts as “encouraging,” with Israel eager to resume talks. Sources indicate Qatar is pressuring Hamas, and if a final deal is reached, the remaining 10 living and 12 deceased hostages could be released, though prisoner release criteria remain stringent. Humanitarian disagreements persist, with Israel favoring the current U.S.-facilitated aid system and Hamas demanding a return to its prior control of 400–600 daily aid trucks.