President Joe Biden is disregarding opposition from key Israeli officials as he pushes for a three-phase agreement between Israel and Hamas.
This agreement has the potential to bring back numerous Israeli hostages, release Palestinian prisoners, and potentially bring an end to the ongoing Gaza war, which has lasted for almost eight months.
By taking this bold step, President Biden is demonstrating to a significant portion of his political base, who have been disheartened by his handling of the conflict, that he is actively working towards ending the war. This war has resulted in the deaths of over 36,000 Palestinians and has left hundreds of thousands struggling to meet their basic needs.
On June 3, White House officials announced that President Biden’s decision to make the Israeli proposal public, just one day after it was delivered to Hamas, was motivated by a desire to put Hamas in a difficult position. This move deviated from the U.S. administration’s previous stance of allowing the Israelis to handle hostage negotiations on their own.
According to White House national security spokesman John Kirby, “The president believed that given the current state of the war and the ongoing negotiations to secure the release of the hostages, it was time for a different approach. Making the proposal public was an attempt to invigorate the process and bring about a different outcome.”
Shortly after President Biden revealed the proposal, which includes a cease-fire and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza in exchange for the release of all hostages by Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declared that they would continue the war until Hamas was completely eradicated.
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s political survival relies on a far-right coalition that is determined to eliminate Hamas. On June 3, he further cast doubt on the viability of the proposal by stating that there are certain “gaps” in President Biden’s presentation. The Prime Minister emphasized that Israel reserves the right to return to war.
Mr. Kirby emphasized the unity between Mr. Biden and Mr. Netanyahu while highlighting that the proposal originated from Israel. He also mentioned that Mr. Biden shares the Israeli perspective that Hamas should not control postwar Gaza and that Israel should not have to face such a terrorist threat in its vicinity.
“This was not an attempt to pressure the prime minister or his war cabinet,” Mr. Kirby stated. “It was an effort to showcase to the public the dedication and determination of the Israelis in presenting a new proposal. It demonstrates their strong commitment to resolving the situation.”
However, even if Hamas were to agree to the terms, Mr. Netanyahu would face challenging political decisions. Two key members of his far-right coalition, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have threatened to withdraw from the government if Mr. Netanyahu accepts the proposal, leading to a potential collapse of the coalition.
On June 3, Mr. Smotrich stated that agreeing to a cease-fire would be a disgrace for Israel and a sign of surrender. He argued that escalating military pressure is the most effective approach in the Middle East.
Last week, Mr. Biden expressed worries about Israeli officials who advocate for prolonged conflict and do not prioritize the release of hostages. Administration representatives cautioned Israeli authorities on June 3 that becoming entangled in Gaza could jeopardize Israel’s national security.
“Perpetual conflict in Gaza in pursuit of an unattainable victory will not enhance Israel’s security,” remarked State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
Despite facing opposition, Mr. Netanyahu has been under pressure from the families of hostages who are still alive and those whose bodies are being held by Hamas. They are urging him to reach an agreement to free their loved ones. However, opposition leader Yair Lapid has promised to provide political support to Netanyahu, ensuring that his government does not collapse due to the deal.
While the proposal encounters challenges, the Biden administration remains cautiously optimistic about the possibility of reaching a deal. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has called on world leaders to unite behind the proposal and focus their attention on Hamas. He emphasized the need for Hamas to come to the negotiating table.
In line with this objective, President Biden spoke with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar, a key intermediary with Hamas, and expressed that this was the best opportunity for an agreement. The United States has also circulated a draft resolution at the United Nations, seeking support from the other 14 members of the Security Council.
Additionally, Mr. Sullivan engaged in discussions with his Turkish counterpart, Akif Cagatay Kilic, to encourage Turkey to use its influence with Hamas to accept the proposal. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously defended Hamas and held talks with the group’s political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in April.
Furthermore, the Group of Seven leaders have endorsed the deal on June 3.
The G7 leaders have called upon Hamas to agree to the proposed deal, which Israel is prepared to move forward with. They also urge countries with influence over Hamas to assist in ensuring its acceptance.
Mr. Biden recently acknowledged the challenges associated with progressing beyond the initial phase of the plan.
During the first six weeks, the initial phase would involve a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas in Gaza, and the release of certain hostages, such as women, the elderly, and the wounded, in exchange for the freedom of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Under the terms of the proposal, Israel would permit 600 humanitarian aid trucks to enter Gaza daily during the first phase. The subsequent phase would involve the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Hamas is expected to make significant demands regarding the release of Palestinian prisoners and will likely call on Israel to guarantee that it will not target top Hamas leaders.
Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. Middle East peace negotiator, emphasized that reaching phase one and implementing the six-week ceasefire would result in a reduction in the intensity of the military campaign and fewer casualties.
Israeli officials, however, anticipate a prolonged conflict. Just last week, Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi stated that he foresees the war lasting another seven months to dismantle the military and governing capabilities of Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad militant group.
As the U.S. Election Day approaches in just over five months, Biden is increasingly under pressure to swiftly address the Mideast conflict in order to regain lost support.
