Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
“You can’t have victory until you eliminate Hamas,” Netanyahu said, adding that likely expanded operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah are “weeks, not months” away from completion.
The draft deal includes the release of up to 40 women and older hostages held in Gaza in return for up to 300 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, mostly women, minors and older people, according to a senior Egyptian official, the Associated Press reported.
The proposed six-week pause in fighting would allow hundreds of aid trucks to enter Gaza every day, including the northern half of the besieged territory, the AP reported. Negotiators face an unofficial deadline of the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan around March 10.
U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday that the four Middle East nations came to “an understanding” on what the “basic contours” of a hostage deal and temporary cease-fire would look like, without discussing specifics.
“There will have to be indirect discussions by Qatar and Egypt with Hamas because ultimately they will have to agree to release the hostages. That work is underway,” he added.
Israeli officials met Saturday night after the latest round of talks. Netanyahu on Sunday called Hamas’ initial negotiating demands “crazy” and pledged “total victory” over the militant group in Gaza.
“You can’t have victory until you eliminate Hamas,” Netanyahu said, adding that likely expanded operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah are “weeks, not months” away from completion. “If we have a deal it will be delayed somewhat, but … if we don’t have a deal we’ll do it anyway,” he said.
Sullivan said earlier on NBC’s “Meet The Press” that President Joe Biden has not been briefed on Israel’s Rafah plan. But he added: “We’ve been clear that we do not believe that an operation — a major military operation — should proceed in Rafah, unless there is a clear and executable plan to protect those civilians, to get them to safety and feed, clothe and house them, and we have not seen a plan like that.”
