In a recent development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, a senior US administration official has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for making “maximalist statements” that are hindering progress towards a ceasefire deal. The official accused Netanyahu of not being constructive in reaching a resolution and emphasized the need to focus on getting a ceasefire proposal across the finish line.
The criticism comes after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in intense regional diplomacy, meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem for three hours on Monday. Following the meeting, Blinken announced that Netanyahu had accepted Washington’s “bridging proposal” aimed at resolving sticking points and bringing Israel and Hamas closer to a deal.
However, Israeli media reported that Netanyahu later told a group of hostage families that he had convinced Blinken to allow Israeli troops to remain in strategic areas of Gaza, including along the southern border with Egypt. These reported comments have apparently irked the US administration, with the senior official expressing disappointment in Netanyahu’s stance.
The official stressed the importance of reaching a ceasefire agreement and highlighted the need for both parties to accept the bridging proposal to move forward with technical discussions. The official also mentioned that maximalist statements like Netanyahu’s are not helpful in achieving a ceasefire deal and could impede progress in implementing the necessary technical talks.
Blinken continued his diplomatic efforts by meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in El-Alamein and traveling to Qatar for further discussions. He revealed that the American bridging proposal includes a detailed plan for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, with a clear schedule and locations for IDF withdrawals agreed upon by Israel.
Hamas, on the other hand, criticized the latest ceasefire proposals, calling them a coup against previous negotiations and insisting that any ceasefire plan for Gaza should be based on earlier talks in July. The situation remains tense as diplomatic efforts continue to push for a resolution to the conflict.
