Netanyahu Open to “Partial Deal” with Hamas Rejecting the Permanent Ceasefire Plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he is ready and willing to strike a partial deal with Hamas that would enable them to free some captives but continue with the bombings of Gaza. Netanyahu specifically underlined the fact that the permanent cessation of the warfare could not be possible until Hamas is ‘eradicated.’ At the same time, many analysts, military strategists, and the Israeli defense forces say this is an unattainable goal. 

 Moreover, in the interview with Channel 14 on Sunday, Netanyahu’s rhetoric seemed to differ from the declarations of several heads of US departments. These officials claimed that Israel had accepted the sketch of the deal that US President Joe Biden had proposed in mid-May to put an end to fighting. 

During the interview, Netanyahu is quoted to have said the following: “I am not ready to conduct a final settlement and leave Hamas in place; I am ready to conduct an imperfect settlement that is not a secret, that will return some of the people to us.” He urged the need to maintain the push after a respite to accomplish the mission of dismantling Hamas, saying, I’m not ready to let that go. 

 Irgun and Netanyahu demanded Netanyahu show evidence of efforts for the release of all 120 captives that are held in Gaza, abstaining from speaking about their fate. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, The missing people advocacy group, vilified Netanyahu for the statement. “We utterly reject the prime minister’s remark where he retreated from the Israeli offer,” the group stated. “This means he is leaving 120 hostages and violates the moral requirement of the state of Israel to citizens. ” 

 Reporters quoted in Haaretz and Walla news also reported that the free talking from Netanyahu is damaging the still-ceasefire negotiation. A source said to Haaretz that Netanyahu meant today that he is not concerned with the delivery of all the hostages – the requirement he set to Hamas – and is not eager to offer the indemnity Hamas wants. 

In return, Hamas affirmed that Netanyahu’s words indicated the Israeli leadership rejection of the Biden plan and UN Security Council resolution that has called for a ceasefire agreement. 

 Since January, Israelis and Palestinians have been negotiating indirectly to find a resolution to the situation in Gaza and organize a prisoners’ exchange. These have been between the United States, the leader of the mediators, Qatar, and Egypt, with the proposed breakdown of the agreement in three phases. Nevertheless, the core problems have not been addressed to this date, especially the questions of the sustainability of the ceasefire and the pullout of the Israeli military from the Gaza Strip. 

 Last month, President Biden stated that Israel confirmed it would adhere to a permanent ceasefire and would entirely withdraw according to the plan. Nevertheless, the leaders of the Israeli government have not verbally agreed to cease hostilities or to evacuate the area of Gaza completely. Netanyahu has repeatedly emphasized that he does not plan to sign a long-lasting ceasefire before fulfilling his war “objectives. ” 

 Hamas officials praised Biden’s announcement but gave an orbital signal that the Israeli offer does not promise the cessation of the war. The group has insisted that any agreed settlement has to clearly state the cessation of the conflict and a comprehensive disengagement of Israelis. Hamas, however, gave the latest Israeli offer its answer on June 11th but received no reply. 

 In a recent interview, MN Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani stated that there are settlements of ‘some progress’ in negotiations; nonetheless, there are ‘still some gaps.’ These gaps are still being worked on to achieve a complete bargain. 

 The conflict persists, and the effects are severe in such a way that it threatens many lives, most especially humanitarian lives, and diplomatic maneuvering still goes on in a bid to bring about a cease.