Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Biden on Thursday that he agreed to send a delegation for renewed indirect hostage deal negotiations with Hamas.
The conversation came a day after Hamas said it gave new “ideas” to Qatari mediators that US and Israeli officials described in comments to the media as a “breakthrough.” But there are signs that Netanyahu and members of his coalition government are working to sabotage the chances of an agreement.
In his conversation with President Biden, Netanyahu also reiterated his position that the genocidal war in Gaza won’t end until all of Israel’s objectives are completed, which includes the eradication of Hamas, a goal the Israeli military has said is not possible. Hamas has been adamant that any hostage deal must include a permanent ceasefire.
The Times of Israel reported that in a meeting with his negotiators before deciding to send a delegation, Netanyahu “stressed again that the war will end only after achieving all of its goals, and not one moment earlier.”
Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Netanyahu was teaming up with some extremist elements of his government to sabotage a ceasefire. The report said that the prime minister’s office planted a story in the media claiming to be a security source that said Hamas’s response offered nothing new.
Israeli security and intelligence officials were angered by the fake story, and according to Haaretz, genuine Israeli security sources said Hamas’s proposal gave Israel “something to work with.”
Israel’s top brass appears ready for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza since the military has been struggling against Hamas. The Palestinian group has been able to re-establish itself in areas that have been decimated by the Israeli military. One reason they want a ceasefire in Gaza is to prepare for a potential full-blown war in Lebanon.
But extremist ministers, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have been opposed to any deal with Hamas and have the power to dissolve the coalition government, giving them significant sway with Netanyahu.
