A senior Israeli official has contradicted President Joe Biden’s description of Israel’s cease-fire proposal, stating that it was not accurate. The Israeli official disputed the claim that Israel had agreed to fully withdraw its troops from Gaza as part of a deal to release hostages, emphasizing that Israel’s objective is to destroy Hamas’s military and governing capabilities before agreeing to a permanent cease-fire. The official also clarified that the proposal originated from mediators and Israel had made amendments and changes to it, rather than it being solely an Israeli proposal.
Despite the conflicting statements, Israel is still awaiting Hamas’s formal response to the proposed cease-fire plan. President Biden had outlined the proposal in a speech at the White House on Friday, stating that it had been sent to Hamas via Qatar. Biden described the proposal as a comprehensive plan that would eventually lead to a permanent cease-fire in Gaza. The three-part plan included the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza, the release of hostages held since an October attack led by Hamas, and a six-week complete cease-fire in the first phase.
The announcement of the cease-fire proposal comes at a time when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing pressure from right-wing ministers threatening to bring down his government. This internal political situation may have influenced the Israeli official’s comments questioning Biden’s description of the proposal. The official stressed that Israel’s conditions for a permanent cease-fire remain the same, indicating that Israel will only agree to such a deal after achieving its objectives in Gaza.
Despite the doubts raised by the Israeli official, a spokesperson for Hamas stated that the group views positively what was included in Biden’s speech. This response indicates a potential willingness from Hamas to consider the proposed cease-fire plan. The involvement of Qatar as a mediator in sending the proposal to Hamas suggests ongoing diplomatic efforts to broker a truce and end the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The situation remains complex with multiple stakeholders involved, each with their own priorities and objectives in the negotiations.
