Jerusalem, Israel – Doubts have arisen over Israel’s stance on a proposed cease-fire deal following President Joe Biden’s recent statements. A senior Israeli official has disputed the accuracy of Biden’s description of the proposal, raising questions about the country’s position on the agreement.
Biden announced the cease-fire proposal on Friday, attributing it to Israel and claiming it had been shared with Hamas through mediators. However, conflicting pressures on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from Washington, hostage families, and right-wing ministers have complicated the situation.
The senior Israeli official challenged Biden’s assertion that Israel had agreed to fully withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip as part of the deal to free the hostages. The official emphasized that Israel’s conditions for a permanent cease-fire remain unchanged until Hamas’s military and governing capabilities are neutralized.
Furthermore, the official clarified that the proposal mentioned by the White House actually originated from mediators, with Israel making amendments and adjustments to it. The official noted that Israel’s response is contingent on Hamas’ formal feedback on the proposal outlined by Biden.
Biden’s proposal, which he stated had been transmitted to Hamas through Qatar, includes a comprehensive plan for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza. The three-part plan involves the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and initiating a six-week truce.
The proposal has put Netanyahu under renewed pressure both domestically and internationally. As two right-wing ministers threatened to withdraw from the coalition backing Netanyahu, families of the hostages intensified their calls for a deal to secure the release of their loved ones.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son has been held captive since October, expressed cautious optimism about Biden’s proposal. She urged the Israeli government to prioritize bringing the hostages home rather than prolonging the conflict.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken commended Israel for the proposal and urged Hamas to accept it, highlighting the need for a cease-fire to alleviate the suffering of Gazans displaced by the conflict. Despite U.S. warnings, Israeli forces continued targeted operations in Rafah, deepening concerns over the escalating violence in the region.
Netanyahu has yet to publicly respond to the proposal, with conflicting statements emerging from his office regarding the conditions for ending the war. While an aide to Netanyahu acknowledged accepting the deal, emphasizing the importance of securing the release of hostages, the Israeli government’s official position remains ambiguous.