Netanyahu is fleeing from a hostage deal. The closer it gets, the faster he runs to avoid it.

 Haaretz:

PM Netanyahu said "Israel cannot accept" Hamas' demand to end the Gaza war. Israel's defense minister said Hamas is showing signs it doesn't intend to close a deal with Israel, which means an offensive in Rafah will be launched "in the near future." CIA chief Burns is traveling to Doha for an emergency meeting with Qatar's PM amid reports the negotiations are "near to collapse." Israel closed the Kerem Shalom border crossing through which aid is delivered to Gaza after a Hamas rocket barrage wounded several Israelis. The Israeli government voted unanimously in favor of shutting down Al Jazeera in Israel. Around 40 rockets were fired at northern Israel from Lebanon. Here's what you need to know 212 days into the war

What happened today

■ HOSTAGES/CEASE-FIRE: A day after the Saudi Al-Sharq news outlet reported that Hamas would announce its acceptance of Egypt's proposal for a cease-fire/hostage release deal, PM Netanyahu said "Hamas remains fixed on its extreme positions, primarily the demand to withdraw all our forces from Gaza, end the war, and leave Hamas intact," and that "Israel cannot accept this." CIA chief William Burns is traveling to Doha for an emergency meeting with Qatar's PM as cease-fire talks are "near to collapse," an official briefed on the matter told Reuters, adding that the U.S. and Qatar will exert "maximum pressure" on Israel and Hamas to continue negotiations. Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh said the organization showed flexibility in truce negotiations, "but its starting point was the cessation of war, and this is a principled and logical position that should ensure stability." A senior Hamas official later said the organization's delegation has left Cairo to hold consultations in Doha. During a visit to central Gaza, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that Israel is seeing "alarming signs that Hamas actually does not intend to follow any agreement with us. This means action in Rafah and the entire Gaza Strip in the near future." Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Saturday night that PM Netanyahu is committed to turning down a "reckless" deal with Hamas, and to a military operation in Rafah. "Netanyahu is fleeing from a hostage deal. The closer it gets, the faster he runs to avoid it. At least twice in recent months he has sabotaged the sensitive moves toward a deal, whether through public statements or covert messages, or by curbing the mandate of the negotiating team. It was no different this time" - Yossi Verter