Netanyahu Offers Contrasting View on Biden Admin’s Gaza Deal Hopes

Widespread tensions arose between the Biden administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the ongoing negotiations for a potential cease-fire in Gaza and the release of hostages. Netanyahu publicly dismissed claims of a nearing breakthrough, labeling them as “exactly inaccurate.”

In an interview on “Fox and Friends,” Netanyahu insisted, “There’s not a deal in the making.” His comments came amidst U.S. officials’ efforts to refine a proposal addressing the lingering disputes between Israeli and Hamas leaders. The situation intensified following the discovery of six dead hostages over the weekend, amplifying the urgency for negotiations.

National security spokesman John Kirby acknowledged the challenges, noting that only minor disagreements related to the “implementing details” of a cease-fire proposal remained. Kirby emphasized the complexity of the situation, stating, “If there’s compromise, if there’s leadership, we can still get there,” while avoiding direct confrontation with Netanyahu during public discussions.

Despite being in a politically precarious position with elections looming, the Biden administration has maintained a hopeful stance as it collaborates with Egypt and Qatar to facilitate an agreement between Israel and Hamas, which has persisted for nearly a year. A key aspect of the potential deal includes the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its Oct. 7 assault on Israel, with discussions around exchanging them for Palestinian prisoners.

Before the gruesome discovery of the six hostages’ bodies, U.S. officials suggested that a deal could be finalized by the end of the week. President Biden shared a cautiously optimistic outlook, stating, “I think we’ve got a shot,” while recognizing that the situation remains far from settled.

Netanyahu’s government, however, has doubled down on conditions that could hinder any agreement before the upcoming U.S. elections. His administration has emphasized the necessity of Israeli military presence in a designated buffer zone along Gaza’s border with Egypt, a position that has only been voiced more strongly in recent months.

“To ask Israel to make concessions after this murder is to send a message to Hamas: Murder more hostages, you’ll get more concessions,” Netanyahu stated. He believes that the Israeli public largely shares his sentiments against making concessions under such dire circumstances, showcasing a united front.

Families of hostages have expressed frustration, accusing Netanyahu of hindering negotiations that could lead to the return of their loved ones, pointing towards a potential political motivation in his approach. An increasing number of Israelis have taken to the streets, urging swift action to secure the release of the hostages.

Despite the challenging dynamics, the Biden administration has pointed to Israel as having engaged in negotiations, while describing Hamas as the primary barrier to a deal being reached. However, Biden recently indicated doubts regarding Netanyahu’s efforts in the negotiation process when asked about his engagement in talks.

Analysts have noted a pattern where Israel appears to agree to specific terms in discussions but then complicates matters with additional conditions, which derail potential agreements. Shira Efron, a policy adviser at the Israel Policy Forum, expressed concern about this trend, which continues to disrupt the negotiation process.

Randa Slim from the Middle East Institute highlighted a perceived imbalance of power in negotiations, observing that Netanyahu seemed to hold a advantageous position over the U.S., particularly in bilateral discussions.

While the U.S. and several Arab nations have raised significant objections against a sustained Israeli military presence in the Philadelphi corridor—an important crossing point for arms and goods—Hamas has maintained that such a position contradicts the proposal aimed at reducing Israeli occupation in populated areas of Gaza.

Negotiators have reportedly reached agreements on a majority of the proposed terms, with a senior U.S. official revealing that out of 18 critical paragraphs in their bridging proposal, only a few technical and substantive differences remain unresolved. These discussions particularly revolve around the number of hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners during a proposed extended cease-fire.

The escalation in violence includes increased attacks from Hezbollah and other Iran-affiliated groups, further complicating the already fraught situation in the region. Since the initial assault on October 7, which left 1,200 individuals dead and included about 250 hostages, Israeli military actions have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties, with reports stating over 40,000 deaths in Gaza.

As negotiations continue, Kirby reiterated the importance of practical diplomacy, expressing confidence that substantial progress had been made over recent months in shaping a viable agreement.

Source: Associated Press