Vows to fight to “complete victory.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has unequivocally rejected a
cease-fire proposal from Hamas, emphasizing his commitment to achieving a “complete victory” over the militant group in Gaza. This stance challenges U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s efforts to foster a humanitarian pause in the conflict during his visit to Israel. Hamas proposed a three-stage cease-fire that would gradually release Israeli hostages in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, a proposal Netanyahu dismissed as “delusional.” He insists that continued military pressure is crucial for the hostages’ release.
The cease-fire discussion, which involved negotiators from the United States, Qatar, Israel, and Egypt, aimed for an initial six-week pause in fighting to facilitate the release of civilian hostages. However, Netanyahu’s commitment to continue military operations in Gaza, including moving into Rafah, complicates these diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile, Hamas has responded positively to Qatar’s mediation efforts, and a delegation is set to travel to Cairo for further discussions.
The Hamas proposal, which outlines a phased release of hostages and demands for Palestinian prisoner releases and Israeli troop withdrawals, reflects the complexity of negotiating a cease-fire. Netanyahu’s rejection of the proposal and intention to persist with military actions in Gaza have sparked a mix of support and concern among Israelis, including families of hostages and those affected by the conflict.
The Israeli military campaign in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties and humanitarian concerns, with over 27,000 people killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The international community, including the U.N., has called for a cease-fire, highlighting the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Secretary of State Blinken’s visit to the Middle East, which included discussions with leaders in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and the Palestinian Authority, underscores the U.S. administration’s push to resolve the conflict. However, the path to a cease-fire and a potential broader peace settlement, including normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, remains fraught with challenges, as evident in the current impasse over the cease-fire proposal.