Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday reiterated his call for the international community to push the Hamas terrorist group to agree to U.S. President Joe Biden’s framework proposal for a hostages-for-ceasefire-and-terrorists deal.
“We are engaged in negotiations for the release of our hostages. This is a national mission of the highest order. We are holding very complex negotiations in which the other side is a murderous terrorist organization that is unbridled and obstinate,” said Netanyahu at the beginning on the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem.
“However, I would like to emphasize: We are conducting negotiations and not a scenario in which we just give and give. There are things we can be flexible on and there are things that we cannot be flexible on, which we will insist on. We know how to distinguish between the two very well.
“Therefore, alongside the major efforts we are making to return our hostages, we stand on the principles that we have determined, which are vital for the security of Israel,” continued the premier.
“I reiterate: These principles are in keeping with the May 27 framework, which has received American support. … Up until now, Hamas has been completely obstinate. It did not even send a representative to the talks in Doha [on Thursday and Friday]. Therefore, the pressure needs to be directed at Hamas and [its top leader Yahya] Sinwar, not the government of Israel,” added Netanyahu.
Israeli negotiators on Saturday expressed “cautious optimism” regarding the talks that took place over the previous two days in Qatar to secure the release of 115 captives being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“The team expressed to the prime minister cautious optimism regarding the possibility of progress on the deal, in accordance with the updated American proposal (based on the May 27 framework), including components acceptable to Israel,” according to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The statement was referring to a “bridging proposal” submitted by American mediators last week meant to close the gaps between the sides, based on the outline presented by Biden in a May speech that was previously accepted by Jerusalem.
There is a consensus among the mediating countries—the United States, Egypt and Qatar—that the diplomacy is “in the endgame,” a senior American official told reporters on Friday from Doha.
The official called the latest negotiation session “the most constructive in 48 hours we’ve had in many months,” echoing a joint statement that the three countries released earlier in the day.
The senior U.S. official noted on Friday that “there’s still more work to do,” adding, “This is a very difficult, complex deal. It is wrenching because this is about getting hostages out of Gaza. There are elements of the deal that are uncomfortable. Just like any deal like this, it is far from perfect.”
Another summit is reportedly scheduled for Cairo on Thursday, with U.S. officials saying the goal is to finalize a deal by the end of the week.
