Israeli official down plays chances of ending war with Hamas: Report
A senior Israeli official has downplayed the prospects of a full end to the war on Gaza, according to The Associated Press news agency, even as ceasefire negotiations continue in the Egyptian capital of Cairo.
The official, who spoke to AP on the condition of anonymity, said Israel was committed to launching a ground invasion of Rafah and that it will not agree in any circumstance to end the war as part of a deal to release captives.
Israeli media reported that statement had been dictated by Netanyahu, whose government could be threatened if he agrees to such a deal as hard-line politicians in his cabinet are demanding a ground assault on Rafah.
Earlier, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, of the far-right Otzma Yehudit faction, said that Netanyahu is committed to refusing a “reckless” deal with Hamas, adding that the Israeli leader knows the price of breaking his commitments.
Biden has ‘total leverage’ over Israel in truce talks
Rami Khouri, a distinguished fellow at the American University of Beirut, says that while Hamas and Israel continue to be far apart in the ongoing ceasefire talks, the gap appears to be narrowing.
“When the CIA Director, Will Burns, joins the talks, it means something serious is happening,” he told Al Jazeera from Boston.
“One of the problems in situations like this is that whatever anybody says, it could be factual, it could be wishful thinking, it could be for domestic political advantage and it could be to hold off foreign pressures. So probably only about 30 to 40 percent of what people say – Israeli, American or Hamas – is accurate.”
Khouri added that Biden had “total leverage” over Israel if he wanted to exercise it.
“Because Israel cannot do anything militarily without the US. But the US president is hesitant to use that power. What we’ve seen from the US is a lot of verbal pressure, and threats and cajoling, but without any carry through. For instance, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made seven trips to Israel to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, and it’s increased by 10 percent or 15 percent.”
Netanyahu urged to ignore political pressure, return captives: Report
The families of Israeli captives in Gaza have urged Netanyahu to ignore political pressure and secure a deal that would bring their relatives home, according to the Channel Seven broadcaster.
The statement comes as far-right ministers in Netanyahu’s cabinet threaten to leave his coalition if the prime minister agrees to a ceasefire and captive release deal that would end the war on Gaza.
“It’s time to take the lead, show courage and bring about the return of all 132 [Hamas-held captives],” the families said. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, history will not forgive you if you miss this opportunity to return our relatives,” they added.
Majority of Israeli protesters do not want Rafah ground offensive
The majority of the protesters at the weekly protests call for a deal to bring the captives home. The feeling is that if Israel goes into Rafah, there will be no captives that make it home alive.
There are many calling for Netanyahu to stand down because they hold him responsible, mainly accusing him of prolonging this war for his own political survival.
He’s under increasing pressure. From right-wing elements of this government that he depends on for his political survival. Yesterday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he expects the prime minister to adhere to the promises he made in a recent meeting with him and that Rafah should happen. If it doesn’t, the prime minister knows what the consequences will be.
So, reading between the lines, that can be seen as a threat that he will potentially withdraw from the government. People who know Netanyahu and have followed his political career will tell you that his priority is his own political survival. He is under immense pressure not just from the people, but from his own cabinet and from the Americans.
Bring the captives home, ‘but not in surrender’: Smotrich
Israeli Army Radio has posted a video on X, in which Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich appears to tell the war cabinet not to “surrender” as he called for “Rafah now” at a demonstration in Jerusalem.
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