US President Joe Biden said that he believes that further progress can be achieved in the Middle East, while US officials ruled out Israel making concessions in the Gaza negotiations, amid reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is waiting for Donald Trump to take office.
National Security Advisor Jack Sullivan had previously confirmed that President Biden intends to begin work on reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, through his envoys communicating with Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt.
He added, “We believe that this is the beginning of an opportunity for a more stable Middle East, where Israel’s security is guaranteed and the interests of the United States are secure.”
The Times of Israel quoted an American official as saying that the Biden administration is still considering steps before the end of the transitional period to strengthen the two-state solution.
As for Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, he confirmed that Tel Aviv received a promise that a Security Council resolution would not be issued to recognize a Palestinian state during the transitional period in America.
Israel ‘not interested’
Meanwhile, the New York Times quoted Western officials as saying that Israel does not seem interested in making concessions, and that it remains skeptical of American and Arab ideas for managing Gaza after the war.
The New York Times quoted Western officials as confirming that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is waiting for Trump to take office before changing his position on the talks with Hamas, and that the movement seeks to remain in power after concluding a ceasefire agreement.
Changing the terms of the deal
For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that after the assassination of (head of the Hamas political bureau) Yahya Sinwar and the separation of the fronts between Gaza and Lebanon, the terms of the exchange deal changed in favor of Israel.
He accused Hamas of being the one that was sabotaging the deal, indicating that there was now an opportunity for an exchange, stressing that he might agree to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and not an end to the war.
As for Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, he said that Israel has a historic opportunity to eliminate Hamas, restore deterrence, and reoccupy the Gaza Strip.
Ben Gvir added – during his participation in the foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction of the new police station in Sderot – that encouraging voluntary immigration in Gaza is what will bring calm to southern Israel.
For his part, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said – during a press conference with his Czech counterpart – that Israel will end the war in Gaza when it achieves its goals, and that it needs a reliable Palestinian partner, far from policies of incitement and killing in Gaza.
But the Washington Post newspaper quoted an informed source as saying that Israeli officials hope to seize the opportunity after the ceasefire in Lebanon to release Israeli detainees in Gaza.
According to the same source, Israeli officials may try to reach a limited deal to create momentum that may lead to a broader agreement.
The newspaper quoted the father of an Israeli prisoner who was concerned that Netanyahu’s government ministers were planning to settle Gaza and forget about those detained there.
In this context, the Wall Street Journal, citing Israeli officials, indicated that the army will need years of work inside Gaza to ensure that Hamas does not return to power.