US’s Austin calls for a deal to free Israeli captives in Gaza
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he called his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant to convey his “deepest condolences and outrage at Hamas’s vicious murder of six hostages”, including 23-year-old American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
“Hamas will be held accountable,” Austin said in a post on X, adding that “we must swiftly conclude a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages”.
Hamas has blamed Israeli air attacks for the deaths of the captives. But Israel says they were found with bullet wounds.
I called Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today to convey my deepest condolences and outrage at Hamas’s vicious murder of six hostages, including 23-year-old American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Hamas will be held accountable. And we must swiftly conclude a deal to secure the…
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) September 1, 2024
US planning to present a ‘take it or leave it’ deal soon: Report
The Washington Post is reporting that the US is in discussions with mediating partners Egypt and Qatar about the contours of a final “take it or leave it” deal that it plans to present to Hamas and Israel in the coming weeks.
The US newspaper cited a senior Biden administration official, who spoke to it on condition of anonymity.
The official told the Post that if Israel and Hamas fail to accept the proposal, it could mark the end of the US-led negotiation effort.
“You can’t keep negotiating this. This process has to be called at some point,” they were quoted as saying.
And what does 'leave it' mean? Keep funding Israel and sending bombs to continue the genocide? So far Netanyahu has been in the 'leave it' camp.
Yet at least when the USA buggers off, someone better can step in. It has to be a country that can pressure the US as well. Russia is willing yet no doubt to get favors (weapons) from Iran to kill more people in Ukraine...
China could fill the role, but I doubt the Chinese government wants to stick their head in this hornets nest. China did broker a deal between Iran and Saudi-Arabia and helped unite the Palestinian factions. Yet China is as addicted to USD as the Arab states.
