Israeli official told the Wall Street Journal yesterday (Monday) that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed Israeli lawmakers that the current ceasefire proposal in Gaza allows for the resumption of hostilities if talks with Hamas collapse in advanced stages, as reported by the Arab World News Agency.
The official added that Netanyahu assured legislators in off-the-record statements that the proposal preserves Israel’s right to resume fighting at any time it deems negotiations “futile.”
Additionally, the Prime Minister emphasized that in a subsequent stage of talks, he will insist on the release of all detainees held by Hamas and the destruction of the movement’s military capabilities, ultimately ending its rule in the Gaza Strip.
US President Joe Biden announced on Friday a three-stage plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip.
Biden stated that the first stage is supposed to last for 6 weeks, and will include a “complete and comprehensive” ceasefire, Israeli forces withdrawal from all populated areas in Gaza, and the release of a number of hostages including women, elderly, and wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
According to the US President, Palestinians will return to their homes across Gaza in this stage, and humanitarian aid will increase to 600 trucks daily.
The first stage will also include negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach the next stage, which is supposed to involve the release of all hostages and a complete Israeli withdrawal from the sector.
While an aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel’s acceptance of the US proposal in an interview with The Times, despite describing the agreement as flawed, Hamas responded positively to Biden’s proposal.
A spokesperson for the US State Department said yesterday that the United States has not yet received a response from Hamas, expressing confidence in Israel’s approval of the proposal.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who belongs to the far-right, threatened to resign from the government and bring it down if Biden’s proposals are accepted.
