Netanyahu remarks on Philadelphi Axis obstructing negotiations: AFP

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Aug 2024 23:29

Netanyahu's "maximalist" statements about maintaining control over the Gaza-Egypt border are not helpful in advancing the talks towards finalizing a ceasefire agreement.

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Palestinians displaced by the Israeli air and ground invasion on the Gaza Strip flee from Hamad City, following an evacuation order by Israeli forces to leave parts of the southern area of Khan Younis, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024 (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

A senior US official informed the French news agency AFP on Tuesday that certain remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are complicating ongoing negotiations related to the Gaza ceasefire.

The official pointed out that Netanyahu's "maximalist" statements about maintaining control over the Gaza-Egypt border are not helpful in advancing the talks towards finalizing a ceasefire agreement.

This comes after a report published by the Times of Israel cited an insider source as saying that the US is in agreement with "Israel's" stance on the Philadelphi corridor, the area along the Gaza-Egypt border.

The report indicated that during a meeting on Monday between Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, it was emphasized that "Israel" cannot fully withdraw from the corridor due to concerns that international pressure might prevent it from re-establishing control if necessary.

According to the report, the US recognizes "Israel's" approach to the Philadelphi corridor and efforts will continue this week to find a resolution that ensures "Israel's" security needs are met.

The ceasefire talks are said to be pivotal for the region's stability. Yet, the Israeli side has been consistently obstinate in reaching an agreement.

Many of the captives who have died in the past ten months were killed as a result of "Israel's" indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza. The Israeli blockade of the Strip has further exacerbated this issue.

US ceasefire proposal aligns with Netanyahu's new demands

On Monday, a Palestinian source involved in the negotiations revealed to Al Mayadeen details of a new US proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner exchange, emphasizing that it “completely contradicts the agreement that both parties had previously accepted.”

According to the Palestinian source, the new American proposal "builds on the May framework but has been adjusted to accommodate and align with the latest Israeli conditions and demands."

The source further explained to Al Mayadeen that, regarding the ceasefire, the US proposal “does not call for a permanent ceasefire.” Instead, the ceasefire is being discussed as part of a second phase with a clearly defined time limit.

The source highlighted that the US proposal emphasizes that “unless Hamas agrees to the Israeli demands, the occupation will resume military operations in the second phase.”

He also stressed that the proposal "does not include a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip," but rather "includes the ongoing occupation of the Philadelphi Axis while reducing the presence of the Israeli army," according to the Palestinian source.

The source added to Al Mayadeen that "it also includes the continued occupation of the Netzarim Junction, and monitoring and controlling the movement of people."

The source indicated that the US proposal "affirms Israel's right to refuse the release of at least 100 Palestinian prisoners and guarantees the deportation of a significant number of those released in the exchange deal outside of Palestine."

He explained that the proposal "gives the occupation the authority to veto 65 names out of 300 names of prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment submitted by Hamas."