Despite attempts by mediators to push forward a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas and agree on a ceasefire, the Israeli Prime Minister has a different opinion. Netanyahu reaffirmed that Israeli forces are committed to fighting until they achieve their war objectives, referring to what he announced nine months ago as the "eradication of Hamas."
The Prime Minister noted at the start of the council session on Sunday that there is no change in the stance regarding U.S. President Joe Biden's plan, considering Hamas to be "the only obstacle." He also stated that Israeli forces in Rafah and Shuja'iyya continue to engage in battles.
This comes after the Biden administration recently presented what was described as "new language" for parts of the proposed prisoner exchange deal and ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Three sources with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed that this language was part of an effort to bridge gaps and reach an agreement, according to Axios.
The sources clarified that these new efforts, previously unreported, are based on an Israeli proposal that was approved by the Israeli war committee and presented by President Biden in a speech last month. They indicated that U.S. efforts with Qatari and Egyptian mediators are focusing on Article Eight of the proposal, which pertains to negotiations that are supposed to begin between Israel and Hamas during the implementation of the first phase to set the specific conditions for the second phase, which involves reaching a "sustainable calm" in Gaza.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Hamas has made "numerous changes" in its response beyond its previous positions. Meanwhile, the Biden administration continues to push for a three-phase agreement that would lead to the release of the remaining 120 prisoners held by Hamas and achieve sustained calm in Gaza, where Israel has killed over 37,700 Palestinians, according to local health authorities.
Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu retracted his proposal and told Channel 14 that he is interested in a "partial deal" with Hamas that would lead to the release of "some prisoners" held in Gaza while allowing Israel to continue fighting in the enclave. However, one day later, under pressure from mediators and families of the prisoners, Netanyahu corrected his comments and reaffirmed his commitment to the proposal.
