USA insists on Israel’s commitment to Gaza offer – Night at a glance
Published: Monday, Jun 3rd 2024, 05:20
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The USA is keeping up the pressure on its ally Israel following an offer to negotiate a settlement to the Gaza war. "We fully expect that Israel would say yes if Hamas agrees to the proposal that was sent to them as an Israeli proposal," National Security Council Communications Director John Kirby told ABC News on Sunday (local time). US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also indirectly took Israel to task. In talks with Israeli Defense Minister Joav Galant, Blinken praised Israel's willingness to conclude an agreement, his spokesman said on Sunday.
US President Biden had surprisingly presented details of a draft Gaza deal on Friday, which Israel had agreed to. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately hastened to clarify that his country's conditions for an end to the war had not changed: the destruction of the Islamist Hamas and the release of all hostages.
Israel's war cabinet discusses negotiation offer
US officials were encouraged that Netanyahu did not reject Biden's speech or deny that it reflected an Israeli proposal made to Hamas a few days ago, the US news portal Axios reported at the weekend. According to the report, the White House had informed Netanyahu's office around two hours in advance that Biden would make details of the offer public in the speech.
Netanyahu's right-wing religious coalition partners promptly threatened to break up the coalition if Israel agreed to the deal. Opposition leader Yair Lapid warned on Platform X on Sunday that if Israel withdrew the already accepted offer, it would be a "death sentence" for the hostages and a crisis of confidence in the Americans and the mediating countries. Against the backdrop of this confusion, Israel's war cabinet met on Sunday to discuss the proposal made public by Biden.
Israel reserves the right to continue fighting
Netanyahu's advisors emphasized to "Axios" that Israel reserves the right to resume fighting at any time if Hamas violates its obligations under the three-stage agreement. Kirby made it clear that in the event of an agreement, the first phase would begin. "That means some hostages will be released (...), there will be some calm, there will be more humanitarian aid, maybe up to 600 trucks, and then the two sides can talk about the second phase."
This phase provides for a permanent cessation of fighting and the release of the remaining hostages. Should Israel gain the impression that Hamas is only using the further talks to gain time, Israel could resume the fighting, emphasized one of the advisors to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu according to "Axios".
It is now Hamas' duty to accept the offer, said US Secretary of State Blinken in talks with Israel's Defense Minister Galant. According to his spokesman, Blinken emphasized that the proposal would benefit Israel's long-term security interests. According to the offer, reconstruction of the Gaza Strip would begin in a third phase.
Reports of deadly airstrike in Syria
Meanwhile, Syrian state media reported several deaths and damage in a suspected Israeli attack in the north-west of the country. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that missiles had hit positions of a pro-Iranian militia north of Aleppo. Twelve militiamen were reportedly killed. The information could not initially be independently verified. There was initially no comment from the Israeli side.
Israel's air force repeatedly bombs targets in neighboring Syria. With these attacks, the Jewish state wants to prevent its arch-enemy Iran and its allied militias from expanding their military influence in the country. Iran is one of Syria's most important allies. Since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip around eight months ago, Israeli attacks, most of which are not officially confirmed by Israel, have increased.
Tug-of-war over the reopening of the Rafah border crossing
Meanwhile, the USA is trying to get the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza reopened for humanitarian aid. To this end, representatives from Egypt, the USA and Israel met in Cairo on Sunday for consultations. However, little progress was made, reported the Wall Street Journal. The talks are expected to continue over the next few days. The Egyptian TV station Al-Kahira News, which is close to the state, had previously reported that Egypt was still of the opinion that Rafah would only be reopened once the Israeli military had completely withdrawn from the area.
Meanwhile, according to the Times of Israel, Israeli Defense Minister Galant said on Sunday during a visit by troops that they were working on creating an alternative to Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip. To this end, they want to isolate areas in Gaza and bring in "other forces" after the removal of Hamas so that they can administer these areas in future. The war would only end once Hamas had been destroyed. Galant had recently said that the government under Netanyahu lacked a plan as to who should govern the Gaza Strip after the war. Hamas could only be permanently ousted from power if Palestinian representatives took control, accompanied by international actors who would create a government alternative to Hamas rule.
©Keystone/SDA
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