Netanyahu dismisses U.S. optimism regarding cease-fire deal

There have been over three years since then and now more than 300 000 have experienced it first hand. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Thursday that an agreement between Hamas and Israel is still “not close,” contradicting U.S. optimism regarding such an accord and insisting his red lines have hardened since six hostages were executed by Hamas militants in Gaza earlier in the week. A day after an official from Biden administration had stated such accord was 93% complete, Netanyahu dismissed that notion by telling Fox and Friends morning show it was exactly inaccurate – according to him it meant nothing concrete had come of talks between Israel and Hamas which had led them close enough for them both parties agree on terms which included ceasefire accords which both parties were agreeing on 93% agreement of an accord being 93% completed, saying it meant 94% was exacty accurate.” Rejecting reports that there could be an imminent deal, he placed blame squarely at Hamas and claimed they only want us out so they can regain Gaza. “His comments followed remarks by U.S. official who told reporters in a briefing Wednesday that Hamas hostage killings and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s hardline position had complicated Washington’s attempts at brokering peace between Hamas and Israeli. At least two main issues remain; which Palestinian prisoners would be freed in exchange for captives still held by Gaza; and whether Israeli forces could remain within an area known as Philadelphi corridor”. Israeli leader’s frequent public interventions has further complicated matters, the official noted. An official briefed reporters with perhaps the most detailed view yet of negotiations – with Netanyahu holding firm against diplomatic pressure and domestic protests to his demand despite both. For months now, Qatar and Egypt have led negotiations in hopes that an agreement would end Israel’s near yearlong offensive in Gaza while also freeing hostages held there since Hamas launched terror attacks Oct 7 against Israeli civilians in Gaza enclave. A Palestinian child at a camp near Al Aqsa Hospital Deir al Balah Gaza Alattar/ Anadolu via Getty ImagesUntil now, the United States had revealed limited details of these talks; but an official indicated that following hostage killings and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial statements publicly criticizing America as well as drawing widespread condemnation, they felt it imperative for Biden administration officials to explain exactly “what was on offer. “Read on: What Is the Philadelphia Corridor?’The briefing came as NBC News revealed that American hostages held by Hamas have requested that President Obama consider striking an unilateral agreement with them in order to secure their release and secure peace in Palestine. Officials told reporters the agreement under negotiation makes no explicit reference to the Philadelphi corridor, a narrow strip of land lying along Gaza’s border with Egypt that Netanyhau insisted should remain Israeli territory to stop Hamas using as an area to transport weapons into Gaza through. Netanyahu repeatedly stressed this week at various news conferences that Israel needs to keep military presence along this border area to stop Hamas using it as an infiltration route into Gaza enclave. U.S. officials suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s public remarks had complicated negotiations by setting out concrete positions within negotiations themselves – noting how taking concrete positions often hinders rather than aids negotiation efforts. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference held in Jerusalem on Wednesday. Abir Sultan/AFP-Getty ImagesThe US official shed new light on how Philadelphi corridor debates were impacting negotiations by noting that, under an emerging deal, under its first phase a truce includes withdrawing Israeli troops from all densely populated areas in Gaza and withdrawing all Israeli soldiers occupying those zones within Gaza City proper. But according to an Israeli official, disagreement had developed as to whether the corridor fell within this category. They claimed Israeli negotiators had come up with a proposal over recent weeks which would “significantly reduce” Israeli presence along the corridor and remain compliant with agreement terms. But according to one senior official, no agreement can be struck until there is one reached and Philadelphi corridor wasn’t the only issue at stake – hostages exchange for Palestinian prisoners remains contentious as does last weekend’s news about possible Israeli incursion. These killings exacerbated anguish for families of hostages who hoped that an agreement might see their loved ones released, prompting widespread demonstrations across Israel calling on Netanyahu to broker such an arrangement. However, they also meant there would now be “fewer hostages as part of a deal”, leading to less Palestinian prisoners released in exchange for hostages being freed, said an U.S. official. This situation was “tragic and awful”, said this official, adding it affected us all equally. However, an official stated: “Until there is an agreement in place, hostages won’t return home and war won’t stop. “The killings are “clouding discussions and have added urgency to the process, while calling into question Hamas’ willingness to reach any sort of deal”, according to an official. Mourners attend Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s funeral procession in Jerusalem on Monday courtesy of Gil Cohen-Magen / AFP- Getty Images; Thursday’s foreign minister indicated similar ideas. Israel Katz made clear in comments delivered during question and answer session that any individual or group responsible for murdering six hostages cannot seek an agreement, while Right-Wing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir declared earlier in the week he is working “to end negotiations” between Hamas and Israel following hostage killings; Hamas blamed Prime Minister Netanyahu of attempting to “thwart” negotiations by killing hostages and working against negotiations between both entities.