Netanyahu Stays Resolute as US Hopes for a Potential Truce Rise

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that the country is steadfast in its security demands amid ongoing hostage negotiations. This comes just days after discussions in Qatar sparked hope for a potential agreement.

During a weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu seemed to temper the heightened expectations from the global community regarding a possible breakthrough. After two days of talks in Doha last week, mediators from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar had voiced optimism about the negotiations.

“We are negotiating, not giving and giving,” Netanyahu noted in a social media post, indicating the firm stance Israel is taking in these discussions.

The Biden administration is actively working to reconcile differences between Israel and Hamas regarding the flow of aid across border crossings. They are also focused on the number and identity of Israeli hostages and security prisoners who may be released. On Friday, President Joe Biden commented that the parties were “closer than we’ve ever been” to reaching an agreement. However, a senior Hamas official, speaking to the BBC on the condition of anonymity, suggested that there had been no real progress in the talks.

Netanyahu has consistently insisted that Hamas, the militant group he deems battered, should not have any role in Gaza’s future—a demand that Hamas has repeatedly rejected. If Netanyahu were to shift away from this position, it could threaten his fragile coalition with far-right allies in Israel and jeopardize his leadership as Prime Minister.

In recent developments, Netanyahu has attributed the stagnation in negotiations to Hamas’s refusal to send a representative to the talks in Doha. He emphasized that international pressure for an agreement should target Hamas, not the Israeli government.

The Prime Minister further warned both Iran and Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, that Israel remains prepared for any threats. He stated that the country is ready to “extract a very heavy price” from any enemy that dares to attack.

On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to Israel with a “bridging proposal” aimed at establishing a cease-fire in Gaza and ensuring the release of hostages. This proposal also emphasizes the distribution of humanitarian aid across Gaza while striving to create conditions for broader regional stability.

According to the Times of Israel, which cited officials familiar with the discussions, the proposal does not allow for a continued Israeli presence along the Gaza-Egypt border, nor does it pave the way for entirely preventing the return of armed Hamas forces in Gaza—two critical issues that Netanyahu has highlighted in the negotiations. Reports from Israel’s Channel 12 suggest that Hamas has indicated it will not agree to any deal that includes these stipulations.

As these talks continue, Blinken intends to stress the importance of avoiding escalation or actions that could undermine the finalization of an agreement, according to a statement from his office.

As the situation develops, the focus remains on the diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict and secure the safety of hostages held by Hamas.

Source: USA TODAY