Top Advisor Comments on Biden’s Proposal
In a recent interview with UK newspaper The Sunday Times, Ophir Falk, the chief foreign policy advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, discussed US President Joe Biden’s proposed plan to end the war in Gaza.
Falk described the plan as “a deal we agreed to,” despite calling it “not a good deal.” He emphasized that Israel is eager to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas. However, Falk noted that Israel’s primary goals, including the complete release of hostages and the destruction of Hamas, remain unchanged, and many details of the plan still need to be finalized.
The proposed plan has sparked significant opposition from Israel’s hard-right political faction. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have both voiced strong objections to any deal with Hamas before its complete destruction.
Both ministers have threatened to resign and collapse the current government coalition if Netanyahu proceeds with the plan.
Support from Israel’s President
In contrast, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog has expressed his support for the deal. In a statement on social media platform X, Herzog thanked President Biden for his efforts and pledged his full support to Netanyahu and the government for any agreement that would secure the release of the hostages.
I want to thank President Biden for his speech and his ongoing efforts to bring about the release of all the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
In this context, I told Prime Minister that I will give him and the government my full support for a deal which will see the release of…
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) June 2, 2024
The proposed deal has also led to public unrest. Thousands of anti-government protesters gathered in Tel Aviv, demanding the resignation of the Israeli government and the immediate release of hostages. The demonstrations turned tense, leading to several arrests following clashes between police and protesters.
On Saturday, Netanyahu declared that a permanent ceasefire in Gaza is “a non-starter” until Israel’s long-standing conditions are met. This statement appeared to undermine President Biden’s announcement of the proposed deal.
Biden described the proposal as a “truly decisive moment” and outlined a three-phase plan aiming to end the conflict.
Details of Biden’s Three-Phase Plan
The first phase of Biden’s plan includes a six-week ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza, and the release of several hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
The second phase calls for the release of all remaining hostages and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The third phase focuses on the reconstruction of Gaza, which has suffered extensive damage during the conflict.
Hamas has reacted positively to the proposed deal, expressing readiness to engage constructively. However, Netanyahu’s recent comments cast doubt on the deal’s viability. A joint statement from Qatar, Egypt, and the US urged both Hamas and Israel to finalize an agreement based on Biden’s proposal.
Ongoing Conflict in Gaza
Despite the proposed deal, hostilities in Gaza continue. Israeli forces have launched new operations in Rafah, a city near the Egyptian border, causing further displacement of Palestinians.
The World Health Organization reports that health services in Rafah are nearly nonexistent, and the UN estimates around 900,000 people have fled the area seeking safety.
This evolving situation underscores the complexities and challenges of achieving a lasting peace in Gaza, with significant opposition and humanitarian concerns remaining at the forefront.
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