Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a change in his stance regarding the Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal, expressing interest in a “partial deal” that would secure the release of some hostages while allowing Israel to continue its military operations in Gaza.
This new position diverges from the previously agreed-upon three-phase proposal that sought the release of all remaining 120 hostages and aimed for sustainable peace in the region.
Netanyahu’s remarks, made during an interview with Israel’s Channel 14, directly contradict statements from Biden administration officials who had indicated Netanyahu’s support for the full proposal. The proposal had been publicly endorsed by President Biden and had received backing from the UN Security Council.
Netanyahu’s reversal comes amidst threats from his radical right-wing coalition partners, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who have vowed to leave the coalition and potentially topple the government if the full proposal is implemented.
In a response to Netanyahu’s comments, the Hostages Families Forum Headquarters, representing the families of the hostages, condemned the Prime Minister for abandoning the 120 hostages, asserting that it violates Israel’s moral duty to its citizens.
Hamas seized on Netanyahu’s remarks, claiming they prove the Biden administration’s statements about Israel’s agreement to the full proposal were inaccurate. Hamas stated that Netanyahu’s preference for a partial deal shows opposition to the UN resolution and President Biden’s speech.
This development is likely to further strain relations between the Israeli government and the White House. Netanyahu recently accused the Biden administration of withholding weapons from Israel, alleging a significant decrease in munitions shipments over the past four months.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is scheduled to meet with U.S. officials, including Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, to address these tensions and discuss the way forward.
