Tel Aviv has no intention of reaching a peace deal with Hamas and the onslaught in Gaza will continue in “full force” after the destruction of Rafah, according to a senior Israeli official involved in negotiations. The comments come after President Joe Biden unveiled a ceasefire proposal allegedly backed by Israel in late May.
Biden’s initial peace plan first called for a six-week pause to hostilities, during which a permanent truce would be negotiated and then implemented. Israeli officials thought the language was vague enough that the two sides could enter the first phase without Israel actually committing to a lasting ceasefire.
Hamas said it received the offer positively and offered modifications to the deal that ensured the release of Israeli hostages would lead to the end of Israeli military operations in Gaza. Additionally, the group sought assurances that Palestinians released under the agreement would not be rearrested by Israel.
In response to the counteroffer, the senior official told the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth that “there will be no negotiations on another outline. There is no factor that can change the Biden outline.” They added that “Hamas’ answer to this outline is like a complete refusal.”
The official explained that Israel planned to continue operations in Gaza after it was finished with its assault on Rafah. “Israel will continue to conduct a strong and effective military campaign. The army has prepared the continuation of the operations even after the end of the fighting in Rafah, and Israel will remain in Gaza.” They continued, “even after the IDF finishes the operation in Rafah, it will remain in the Strip in full force and on a significant scale to continue intense military activity.”
Prior to the invasion of Rafah, Israeli officials claimed the operations were necessary to smash the remains of Hamas and rescue hostages. However, the senior official indicated the Israel Defense Forces intend to continue military operations in the Strip, stating “The IDF has significant operational action plans that will be revealed later.”
Tel Aviv has refused to provide a plan for Gaza after military operations are completed. The White House has been pushing for an Israeli withdrawal and for Gulf Arab states to pay for the reconstruction of Gaza. However, the Biden administration has struggled to advance that proposal with any of its partners in the region.
Several Israeli officials, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have called to rebuild Jewish settlements in Gaza following a unilateral pull-out from the territory in 2005. The plans for new settlements are often included with calls for the displacement of all or most of the Palestinian people from the Strip – or what the security chief dubbed “voluntary emigration.”
Kyle Anzalone is the opinion editor of Antiwar.com, news editor of the Libertarian Institute, and co-host of Conflicts of Interest.
… And Hamas says we have the Israelis exactly where we want it… in a trap…!
And time will tell which one wins.
If the US keeps on giving Israel military and additionally, economic aide, perhaps this should be challenged by another country, in the ICC, indeed, one should think and approach it that way…
Truly finding against Biden & Co. would be an unbelievably wonderful benefice to the people of the US and Palestine … and the world.
How about a finding against the Biden administration, and 95% of the members of congress?
That is not going to happen. Taking on the USA that way would insure the end of ICJ.
It would cause chaos. No country would ever be prosecuted for crimes against humanity. A world of neanderthals.
Israel has repeatedly said no to ceasefire but US keeps claiming they accept.
A shell game combined with kabuki.
UNSC 2728 and ICJ genocide case rulings are already international law – the IDF must “immediately and effectively” ceasefire.
No need for negotiations.
"No need for negotiations." You prefer the killings go on? Because without a deal that both sides can accept those rulings mean nothing.
You know that what Peace is saying. There is nothing to negotiate.
Ignore International Law and the judgement of The Hague ?
Not going to end well for the Likud
Mark Thomason: Please explain to Biden that in order to float a "ceasefire" political balloon, it can't be totally made out of $hit.
Bib https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/38de74b6c34ab9f17a21a841fcbdb30eb232809ca610d6e26957a8ef7d062b03.jpg i why did you say that? It makes it a bit harder to blame the other side now! BOMBS AWAY!
RULE OF LAW??????????????????????????????
No, no, no, it's "rules bases order". Israel orders the U.S. to provide more methods to kill more Palestinian women and children.
Glenn Greenwald had a good show last night. Two rabbis explained how Zionism is against Judaism. Both were very passionate and cared deeply about the atrocities perpetrated on Gaza. It was educational for me, at least.
https://rumble.com/v52ctvf-system-update-show-284.html
Can we stop talking about a "ceasefire" now? "That ain't gonna happen."
It's always adorable when the side of a war with the overwhelming advantage in soldiers, technology, allies, weapons, ammunition, strategic intelligence, and every other warmaking metric (except "world opinion") casually declines to stop a war against a wildly inferior opponent.
Like they're at a football game & turn down an offer for a CapitalOne Mastercard on their way to buy a beer. Just that nonchalant. Without a second thought.
More like the Kansas City Chiefs playing a high school football team.
But but but it was really popular and PROPER to blame hamas not poor lil' israel
Gee, all Israel did was take advantage of the British Mandate to take more lands in Palestine, occupy Gaza and the West Bank for 75 years, killing Palestinians along the way. Fact: from the year 2000 to 7Oct Israel killed 2300 Palestinian children. Poor lil' Israel indeed.
Biden gave Israel a green light to start killing again by giving them the power of deciding whether Hamas was in violation of the cease fire. So, that's all Israel had to do was play along until they got all they could and then claim Hamas broke the deal. But they are so fucking brutal, the thought of them not killing anyone for more than a few hours and some desperate people getting fed was just too much for them to accept.
The US and Israeli are the most destructive forces on the planet. They must be cut down to size to save the planet. There will be no peace in the ME as long as there is a militarized Israel.
"No peace deal until every Palestinian is dead. And probably not then either."
~Butcher Boy Bibi