Despite regional optimism following US President Joe Biden’s unveiling of his plan to halt the war in the Gaza Strip two days ago, an advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed a different view.
Ofer Gendelman stated that Biden’s speech did not bring anything new, but was merely a “political speech” for unclear reasons. He also considered that Tel Aviv “did not reject the broad outlines proposed by the US president in his speech because it is a plan that had been previously agreed upon,” describing it at the same time as not ideal.
However, he pointed out that there are many details that need to be worked on, including “not permanently stopping the ceasefire in Gaza before achieving all the goals of the Israeli government,” referring to the elimination of the Hamas movement, which Netanyahu’s office also reiterated in a previous statement commenting on Biden’s plan.
Additionally, Gendelman emphasized in statements to Sunday Times that Israel did not reject the plan or that deal, saying “it’s not a good deal but we strongly want the release of all hostages.”
He also reiterated that his country’s conditions have not changed, affirming “its insistence on releasing prisoners and destroying Hamas as a terrorist organization” as he described it.
Biden’s proposal on Friday to end the war in Gaza had a significant impact in Israel. While some, including the two extremist ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, opposed it and threatened to bring down the government, experts and commentators saw it as the last chance to end the war.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s office rushed to confirm that the war would not end until all its goals were achieved.
As for Hamas, it announced in a statement that it views the US president’s plan positively, but awaits clarifications from the mediators.
The Biggest Obstacle
Israeli officials have confirmed that the biggest obstacle to reaching an agreement so far is how to reach a formula that commits Israel to not continue fighting in Gaza, while at the same time preserving its goals of releasing prisoners and overthrowing Hamas rule, according to Israeli broadcasting on Saturday.
It is worth mentioning that the first phase of the US plan is supposed to last for six weeks and will include a “complete and comprehensive” ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza, as well as the release of a number of Israeli prisoners, including women, elderly, and wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians.
This phase also includes the return of Palestinians to their homes across the Strip, as well as an increase in humanitarian aid to 600 trucks daily.
It also included talks between Israel and Hamas to reach the second phase, which is supposed to include the release of all prisoners, including male soldiers, and a complete withdrawal of Israel from the sector.
As for the third phase, it includes the reconstruction of the sector, the final cessation of the war, and the return of the remains of Israeli prisoners who were killed to their families.
