Netanyahu Says Biden’s Ceasefire Proposal Is ‘Incomplete’

The Israeli PM said the idea that Israel agreed to a ceasefire is 'incorrect'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said the Gaza ceasefire proposal presented by President Biden was “incomplete” and denied the idea that Israel agreed to pursue a ceasefire.

“The claim that we agreed to a ceasefire without our conditions being met is incorrect,” Netanyahu told a group of Israeli lawmakers, according to The Times of Israel. “The proposal that Biden presented is incomplete.”

Netanyahu again reaffirmed that he wouldn’t agree to a permanent ceasefire until it achieves its goals, including the “destruction” of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities. Biden said the proposal he unveiled would lead to a permanent truce and Israeli withdrawal.

Biden framed the potential deal as an Israeli proposal, but Netanyahu said there were “gaps” between the Israeli version and what Biden presented.

According to Israel’s Channel 12, Netanyahu said Israel could agree to a six-week ceasefire for hostages to be released but wouldn’t end military operations in Gaza permanently.

Over in Washington, the White House is still claiming the ceasefire deal was an Israeli proposal despite Netanyahu’s rejection of it. “As for the gaps, I don’t know what gaps you’re referring to,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

“We’re confident that accurately reflects that [Israeli] proposal — a proposal that we worked with the Israelis on, so I know of no gaps to speak of,” Kirby added.

Hamas released a statement saying the Palestinian group viewed what Biden proposed on Friday “positively.” A senior US official told Haaretz that the proposal was “nearly identical” to one Hamas accepted from Egypt a few weeks ago, which Israel rejected.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.