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President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday as the United States pushes for a “bridging proposal” between Israel and Hamas that could lead to a Gaza ceasefire
Both Hamas and Israel have indicated that significant challenges remain, particularly regarding the presence of Israeli troops in two key corridors in Gaza, complicating Biden’s hopes for a swift agreement. Vice President Kamala Harris, currently in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, also participated in the call.
Biden emphasized the urgency of finalizing the ceasefire and hostage release deal, according to a White House statement. The two leaders also discussed leveraging high-level talks in Cairo this week, involving mediators from the U.S., Israel, Egypt, and Qatar, to overcome the “remaining obstacles” to an agreement.
Hopes for a near-term deal appear to be fading
On Friday, President Biden expressed optimism about reaching an agreement after speaking with Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, both of whom play crucial roles in mediating with Hamas. By Tuesday, though, Biden’s tone was more subdued regarding the likelihood of an imminent agreement. After his speech at the Democratic convention, he told reporters that “Hamas is now backing off,” but assured that the U.S. will “continue pushing” for a cease-fire deal.
The president spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu from Santa Ynez, California, where he is vacationing with his family at the expansive 8,000-acre estate of medical technology mogul and Democratic donor Joe Kiani.
The White House reported that Biden and Netanyahu discussed rising tensions between Israel and Iran, along with militant groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, all of which are supported by Tehran. The call followed Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s meetings with officials in Israel, Egypt, and Qatar earlier in the week, ahead of new talks scheduled in Cairo later this week.
“This is a critical moment, possibly the best, and perhaps the last opportunity to bring the hostages home, secure a cease-fire, and set everyone on a path to lasting peace and security,” Blinken said after meeting with Netanyahu and Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv on Monday.
Prospects for Gaza Ceasefire Deal Dim
Egyptian officials told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Hamas has several reasons for rejecting the bridging proposal, beyond its longstanding skepticism about whether such a deal would truly remove Israeli forces from Gaza and end the conflict.
An Egyptian official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the negotiations, said the bridging proposal calls for the implementation of the deal’s first phase, which involves Hamas releasing the most vulnerable civilian hostages captured in its October 7 attack on Israel that ignited the war. The following phases would be negotiated without any “guarantees” from Israel or mediators for Hamas.
The official added that the proposal does not explicitly state that Israel will withdraw its forces from two key corridors in Gaza Ceasefire : the Philadelphi Corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt and the Netzarim east-west corridor across the territory. Israel has offered to downsize its forces in the Philadelphi Corridor, with “promises” to eventually withdraw from the area, according to the official.
Hamas is insisting on a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza Ceasefire, including from the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow 14.5-kilometer (nine-mile) stretch of land along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt.
Earlier this week, Netanyahu met with right-wing groups representing the families of fallen soldiers and hostages in Gaza. These groups, which oppose a cease-fire deal, reported that Netanyahu assured them Israel would not relinquish control of the two strategic corridors in Gaza. Netanyahu’s office did not comment on the groups’ statements.
After his visit to Egypt and Qatar, Blinken said that the bridging proposal is “very clear on the schedule and locations of (Israeli military) withdrawals from Gaza,” though specific details have yet to be disclosed.
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