As international and regional efforts continue to push Israel and Hamas to agree to the U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, amidst rising opposition from some extreme Israeli voices against appeasing the organization, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the proposal does not include a ceasefire.
His office stated on Monday that the draft proposal for a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas contains no clause for a ceasefire in Gaza, as reported by the Israeli Broadcasting Authority. Additionally, informed sources indicated that Netanyahu summoned National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to inform him that, contrary to U.S. President Joe Biden's statement about the deal, there is no clause in the draft that includes a ceasefire, and that other terms would not constitute an "illegitimate" deal, according to the newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth."
Ben Gvir had threatened yesterday to resign from the government and dissolve it if Biden's proposals, presented last Friday, which included a three-phase plan ultimately leading to a cessation of fighting in Gaza, were approved. The extreme minister wrote via his account on platform X, "The deal as presented is not a complete victory, but a complete defeat."
It is noteworthy that Biden announced days ago that Israel presented a new comprehensive proposal that includes a roadmap for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all prisoners, indicating that it would be implemented in three phases. The first phase involves the release of approximately 33 prisoners, including women and the wounded, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians.
The second phase includes the complete release of Israeli prisoners, including soldiers, and the return of displaced Palestinians to their areas, as well as the withdrawal of Israeli forces from those areas. The final ceasefire and total withdrawal of the Israeli military from all of Gaza will occur. Phase three, the last phase, will address the reconstruction of the devastated sector.
