Israel has confirmed that four of the captives held in Gaza were likely killed in air raids on the enclave.
The Israeli military said Monday evening that the four men were believed to have died in southern Gaza several months ago. This news is likely to increase pressure on the Israeli government to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas.
The military did not provide details, citing an ongoing investigation, but spokesman Daniel Hagari said Chaim Peri, 79, Amiram Cooper, 84, Yoram Metzger, 80, and Nadav Popplewell, 51 years, who were held together by Hamas, were killed while Hamas held them. “the forces were operating in Khan Younis”.
In December, Hamas released a video of Peri, Cooper and Metzger pleading for their release. The Palestinian group reported in March that the three men had been killed by Israeli air raids.
Popplewell was seen in May in a video that appears to have been released after his death.
Pressure point
News of the men’s deaths will increase pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a deal that would see the release of the remaining prisoners.
According to an Israeli count, around 80 of the approximately 240 people captured by Palestinian groups during the October 7 attacks on Israel are still being held alive in Gaza. The remains of 43 people are believed to still be in the enclave.
However, alongside furious demands to agree to a ceasefire to secure the release of captives, the Israeli leader is also being pressured by hardliners in his coalition government to continue the war.
This has created ambiguity over Israel’s approach in its efforts to find a solution to end the conflict.
In his latest attempt, US President Joe Biden is pushing for a ceasefire deal – which he says was proposed by Israel – saying it could become a “permanent cessation of hostilities” if the first phases are implemented.
The three-phase plan includes an exchange of prisoners for remaining captives, the return of the remains of dead captives, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, a significant increase in humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and a road map for its reconstruction.
‘Divide’
However, Netanyahu has insisted that the military will continue to pursue the “destruction” of Hamas, and the lack of clarity over the proposal announced by Biden is growing.
Sultan Barakat, professor of public policy at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, told Tel Aviv Tribune that the situation around the proposed roadmap is “very confusing”.
“Biden announced something that some Israelis say he should not have announced, others say he announced it without our approval, and some think he may have announced it with the Gantz’s endorsement, unlike Netanyahu and Gallant, the other two party members. war cabinet,” he said.
“This shows that there could be a division within Israel as to which direction to take,” he said.
Qatar, which played a mediating role throughout the conflict, stressed on Tuesday the need for a clear position from Israel and Hamas in order to reach an agreement.
“We are waiting for a clear Israeli position that represents the entire government in response to the US proposal on Gaza,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari, adding that there was “no no other option” to end the war than to sit down at the negotiating table and reach an agreement.
“No one can achieve total victory in this war,” he added. “I think it is very clear to the international community that pretending that you can eliminate Hamas, or completely put aside the Palestinian issue, will only produce more violence, and that this is unachievable.”
About the face
Regardless, Washington is now preparing to try to win support for the deal at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Monday she wants Security Council members to support a new resolution proposed by Washington “to end the fighting in Gaza through a ceasefire.” and a hostage deal.”
Today, the United States released a new UN Security Council resolution supporting the proposal currently on the table to end the fighting in Gaza through a ceasefire and hostage agreement.
Many leaders and governments, including in the region, have endorsed this plan – and we call…
– Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (@USAmbUN) June 3, 2024
“Many leaders and governments, including in the region, have endorsed this plan – and we call on the Security Council to join them,” Thomas-Greenfield said in an article on X.
The United States has vetoed several resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza as it continues to finance and arm Israel amid the war, despite growing international criticism.
Another ceasefire resolution, proposed last week by Algeria, specifically calling on Israel to end its ground invasion of Rafah, failed to gain support from Washington, a Department of Defense spokesman said. The American state describes the text as “unbalanced”.