Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that there will be no permanent ceasefire in Gaza until Hamas' military and governing capabilities are destroyed and all hostages are released. This statement follows an announcement by US President Joe Biden that Israel had proposed a three-stage plan to Hamas aimed at achieving a permanent ceasefire.
Hamas has indicated it views the proposals positively, but ongoing negotiations come amid continued fighting in Rafah, with reports of Israeli air strikes on Saturday in the city on Gaza's border with Egypt. Despite the public pressure from President Biden on both Israel and Hamas to accept the plan, there is no guarantee that a deal will be reached.
In a statement on Saturday, Netanyahu’s office reiterated Israel’s conditions for ending the conflict. These include the destruction of Hamas' military and governing capabilities, the release of all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. Netanyahu emphasized that no deal could be agreed upon until these conditions are met.
President Biden described the plan as a comprehensive Israeli proposal that
could pave the way for a permanent ceasefire. The first phase would involve a full ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas, and the exchange of some hostages for Palestinian prisoners. The second phase would focus on the return of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers. The final phase would see the return of the remains of any deceased Israeli hostages and a major reconstruction plan for Gaza with US and international assistance.
A total end to the conflict is a key demand from Hamas to engage in talks. President Biden acknowledged that not everyone in Israel would agree with the plan but urged the authorities to withstand the pressure. The response from Netanyahu’s far-right allies, who have previously threatened to quit the coalition government over similar proposals, remains uncertain.
One of Israel's leading opposition politicians, Yair Lapid, has pledged to support Netanyahu if he endorses the ceasefire deal. Lapid assured the Israeli Prime Minister of his support, stating that Netanyahu would have a "safety net for a hostage deal" if far-right allies like national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich leave the government.
Israel has intensified its attacks in Rafah, claiming operational control over the entire border with Egypt. US, Israeli, and Egyptian officials are scheduled to meet in Cairo to discuss reopening the Rafah crossing, which has been shut since early May when Israeli forces seized control as part of their offensive.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 36,000 people killed in Gaza according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The war began in October when Hamas gunmen launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 252 hostages back to Gaza.
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