Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday downplayed the immediate prospects for a cease-fire in the war with Hamas in Gaza saying that a deal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday downplayed the immediate prospects for a cease-fire in the war with Hamas in Gaza, saying that a deal proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden to halt the fighting and release militant-held hostages was a partial outline.
Netanyahu has long pushed for the elimination of Hamas in Gaza, but he said in a statement, ‘The claims that we have agreed to a cease-fire without our conditions being met are incorrect.”
Biden outlined a new cease-fire deal in Gaza last week that included an initial halt in fighting and the release of some hostages held by Hamas.
Even as Israeli officials questioned the details of the truce proposal, its military announced that four more hostages captured by Hamas are now confirmed as dead, including three elderly men who pleaded in vain with their Hamas captors for their release.
U.S. officials are saying they believe that if Hamas agrees to the proposed truce, which it has yet to do, then Israel would also. An Israeli government spokesperson said that ‘the war will be stopped for the purpose of returning the hostages’ after which discussions would follow on how to achieve the war’s goal of eliminating Hamas.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the proposal with Israeli officials, the State Department said late Sunday, saying the plan would “advance Israel’s long-term security interests.”
Blinken held separate calls with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Cabinet minister Benny Gantz, telling them that the cease-fire proposal would “secure the release of all hostages and surge humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza,” according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
“The secretary commended Israel for the proposal and emphasized that Hamas should take the deal without delay,” Miller said about Blinken’s call with Gantz. The top U.S. diplomat said the peace proposal also could unlock “the possibility of calm along Israel’s border with Lebanon that would allow Israelis to return to their homes.
