According to Politico, citing a senior Middle East diplomat, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might postpone Gaza ceasefire talks with Hamas until after the US presidential election in November.
Netanyahu reportedly believes the US stance on the Gaza conflict could shift following the election.
The diplomat suggested that Netanyahu seeks to delay the negotiations, possibly to placate far-right government members, or because he perceives Hamas as currently weakened.
Additionally, Netanyahu might anticipate less pressure from the current US administration to cease hostilities in Gaza after the election.
He also expects that if Trump were reelected, he might adopt a more favourable approach towards Israel and a stricter stance against Iran and its allies, such as the Lebanese group Hezbollah.
Netanyahu’s office announced that Israeli negotiators would resume talks about the Gaza ceasefire with mediators on Thursday.
US President Joe Biden dropped on Sunday from the race and endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to succeed him as the Democratic candidate.
In a written statement, Biden affirmed that it was the “greatest honour” to serve but his withdrawal was “in the best interest of my party and the country”.
Meanwhile, Harris, 59, said she would “earn and win this nomination” and unite the country against Trump.
“We have 107 days until election day,” she added. “Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”
