Hamassholes cut off contact as escalation in Gaza a high probability

Well, folks, the Gaza situation just took a turn for the worse, and that's saying something. According to a report from Amichai Stein in The Jerusalem Post, the faint hope of a negotiated resolution with Hamas is fading faster than a mirage in the Negev. An Israeli source told the newspaper on Thursday that optimism is in short supply: "There is growing pessimism in Israel over the possibility that Hamas will show flexibility and return to the negotiating table." 

That's diplomatic speak for "we're nowhere close to a deal."

The vibe in Jerusalem is grim, with one Israeli official bluntly stating, "It now seems that an expanded military operation in Gaza is inevitable." Why? Because Hamas has gone radio silent. "Hamas has cut off contact,” another Israeli source said. "There are no real negotiations with them." That’s not just a snag; it's a brick wall disguised as a speed bump..

Adding fuel to the fire, Hamas is apparently ghosting its usual mediators. "Hamas has also partially severed ties with Qatar and Egypt," another official familiar with the talks told the Post. Instead, they’re cozying up to Turkey, with the source noting, "[A]t the moment, they are primarily engaged in talks with Turkey." 

Turkey, under Erdogan, isn't exactly known for playing nice with Israel, so this shift doesn’t bode well for de-escalation.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu huddled with US Envoy Steve Witkoff for a nearly three-hour talk in Jerusalem on Thursday. Part of it was a one-on-one, with the rest pulling in heavyweights like Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. The result of the meeting shows that the US and Israel "are aligned" on their next steps against Hamas after the terrorist group cut off contact. 

They're gearing up for a response, and it's not likely to involve sending Hamas a fruit basket, but perhaps they'll send cell phones as gifts.

Witkoff's next stop is the humanitarian frontlines in Gaza, where he is expected to visit aid centers on Friday. "Witkoff intends to make sure there is no famine or deliberate starvation," an Israeli official said to the Post. 

That’s a noble goal, but the real fix, as President Trump pointed out on Truth Social, isn't complicated: "The fastest way to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is for Hamas to surrender and release the hostages!!!" Hard to argue with that logic, Hamas could end this tomorrow if they weren’t so committed to their anti-Semitic reign of terror.

With Hamas doubling down, Israel's staring at a tough road ahead. Expanded military ops in Gaza is now a question of 'when,' not 'if.

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