President Donald Trump stated on October 4th, 2025, that "we are close" to a peace deal in Gaza and intends to finalize it within days. He conveyed to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, "Bibi, this is your chance for victory," according to Barak Ravid of Axios. This development occurs as the IDF announced the discovery of a significant terror tunnel, approximately 1.5 kilometers long, containing a weapons manufacturing workshop adjacent to the Jordanian Hospital in Gaza City, on October 4th, 2025. The tunnel, part of a Hamas military outpost reportedly occupied by platoon and company commanders, highlights Hamas's alleged exploitation of civilians as human shields, according to the IDF. IDF troops are actively mapping this underground infrastructure and expanding operations to other potential sites of terrorist activity. Simultaneously, a coalition source indicated that if a deal is reached, Prime Minister Netanyahu might prioritize government dismantling and elections over concessions related to Ben Gvir and Smotrich, as reported on October 4th, 2025. In other developments on October 4th, 2025, the grandson of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City's Al-Sabra neighborhood, according to Quds News Network. This follows a period where White House officials Steve Whitakoff and Jared Kushner were engaged in negotiations in Cairo aimed at a hostage release and ceasefire, as previously reported. The Israeli military had also shifted to defensive operations in Gaza on October 4th, ceasing initiated attacks to neutralize threats, following President Trump's directive.
