The sharp contours of a deteriorating diplomatic landscape amid Israel-Hamas war have been exposed as neither side is willing to budge on their demands or make additional concessions.
This impasse leaves captives in a precarious situation, as the lack of resolution or agreement prevents any meaningful progress toward their release and increases their risk.
US President Biden acknowledged that Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu isn’t doing enough to secure a deal with Hamas to free Israeli captives.
However, Netanyahu brushed aside the criticism.
Asked about Biden’s comments, Netanyahu said that the pressure should be applied to Hamas, not Israel, particularly after the deaths of six hostages.
“And now, after this, we’re asked to show seriousness? We’re asked to make concessions? What message does this send Hamas? It says, kill more hostages.”
Benjamin Netanyahu
He stated that he doesn’t believe Biden or anyone serious about “achieving peace” would ask Israel to make more concessions.
“We’ve already made them. Hamas has to make the concession,” Netanyahu stressed.
Prior to this, Netanyahu in a televised news conference sought forgiveness for failing to save the six captives.
However, Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, said in a statement that Netanyahu’s insistence on freeing the captives through military pressure instead of reaching a deal means “they will go back to their families in coffins.”
“Their families have to choose between receiving them dead or alive,” he added.
He reiterated the blame for the deaths of six captives at the weekend falls on the shoulders of Netanyahu because he blocked a ceasefire deal on the table.
A senior Hamas leader, Hussam Badran also said that Netanyahu has no desire to reach a ceasefire agreement, as shown by continually issuing new demands when a deal gets close.
Netanyahu’s reluctance to compromise raises questions about the Israeli leadership’s commitment to secure captives’ lives.
It is crucial to recognize that Netanyahu’s approach, which prioritizes military pressure and hardline stances, may very well be contributing to the very escalation it seeks to avoid.
Netanyahu’s Political Ambitions Trumps Captive Lives
Meanwhile, protests in Israel over the deaths of the captives continued with angry demonstrators saying they could have been returned alive if Netanyahu’s government had signed a ceasefire with Hamas.
According to political analyst, Akiva Eldar, “It seems that for Netanyahu, the alternative – which is his personal, political and personal life – is more important than the lives of the Israeli captives.”
“[Netanyahu] will never leave Gaza. He wants to stay there forever, which means he will perpetuate the war,” he said.
“He knows that December 1, he will have to stand in court,” Eldar added, referring to the Israeli leader’s corruption trial.
Eldar asserted that despite the large number of protesters, “the Israeli right and radical right” who support the government “have the upper hand.”
“So people are losing hope. More and more Israelis are lining up in foreign embassies to get European or American passports and leave.”
Akiva Eldar
Netanyahu says that he will continue to insist on maintaining an Israeli presence along Gaza’s border with Egypt as part of any ceasefire deal.
Netanyahu’s demand to remain in the Philadelphi Corridor has been a major sticking point in truce talks with Hamas. It is demanding a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as part of any deal that would free the dozens of captives held in Gaza.
The defiant Israeli leader said that if Israel agrees to withdraw, even temporarily, the international community will never allow it to return. “It determines our entire future. This is the oxygen of Hamas,” he said at a news conference.
He added, “The achievement of the war’s objectives goes through the Philadelphi Corridor. … Control of the Philadelphi axis guarantees that the hostages will not be smuggled out of Gaza.”
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