Two-hour 'Israeli' cabinet meeting on Gaza wraps up with no official statements

The Israeli Occupation’s security cabinet convened for roughly two hours on Tuesday to review the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and ongoing attempts to secure a ceasefire.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led the closed-door session, which sources described as relatively brief. No official statement was sent out following the discussions.

Notably, far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir were absent from the meeting.

On Monday, it was announced that the 'Israeli' security cabinet is scheduled to convene on Tuesday evening in Jerusalem, amid reports that discussions will focus on advancing ceasefire negotiations and securing the release of captives held in Gaza.

Omer Mantzour, Netanyahu’s spokesman, declined to provide details on the agenda when contacted by Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Monday. Local media, however, suggested that the meeting will revisit the topic of captives and a potential truce, following earlier military plans for Gaza City approved in early August.

Netanyahu ordered immediate talks last Thursday aimed at the release of all remaining captives in Gaza. This directive came after Hamas reportedly agreed to a new ceasefire proposal from mediators, which involves the staggered release of captives over an initial 60-day period in exchange for Palestinian political prisoners held by 'Israel'.

- Internal unrest -

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the campaign group advocating for the release of captives, called for nationwide action on Tuesday. In a statement, the group said, "An absolute majority of the Israeli people want to bring our loved ones home. The deliberate delay of signing a deal for their return goes against the will of the people and our fundamental values, mutual responsibility and friendship."