Prisoner exchange draft sparks dramatic divide among Israeli officials

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
14 Feb 2024 00:38

Israeli media outlets reveal a sharp and growing divergence of opinion among officials of the Israeli political, security, and military leadership.

Israeli occupation's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a press conference in a military base in "Tel Aviv", occupied Palestine, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP)

Israeli media revealed, on Tuesday, that consultations took place a day before between Israeli officials from the political, security, and military leadership regarding a new draft for a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian Resistance that could result in the release of the Israeli captives still held in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli Channel 13 reported that the head of the Mossad, David Barnea, and the Army Reserve Major General, Nitzan Alon, believe that "Israel should present new proposals in the discussions taking place in Cairo."

Meanwhile, Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his Security Minister, Yoav Gallant, and the Army's Chief of Staff, Hertzi Halevi, "opposed this step."

Furthermore, the Israeli political leadership officials were cited as saying that they "cannot come up with a fourth initiative within a short period of time, especially as Hamas constantly violates the agreements reached with mediators."

According to reports, the stance of the Prime Minister, which opposed the introduction of new proposals during the discussions in Cairo, was adopted. It was emphasized that the delegation dispatched to Cairo today was explicitly instructed to listen rather than propose.

However, Channel 13 reported that the Army Reserve General "decided not to attend the talks today in protest," and Netanyahu "sent his political advisor Ophir Falk to ensure that Israeli powers are not deviated from."

Meeting on hostage talks in Cairo ends

Earlier, Israeli media reported that the Israeli delegation was on its way back from Cairo after meeting with CIA director William Burns, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian officials for talks on a truce framework.

Another official said the Israeli delegation, led by Mossad head David Barnea and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, was “there to listen” and that they did not put a new offer on the table.

On its part, Egypt said the meeting with senior officials from the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and "Israel" on captives talks have ended with “keenness to continue consultation and coordination” on the key issues, according to the country’s state information service.

The meeting focused on a framework hammered out in Paris last month by CIA Director Bill Burns, his Israeli counterpart David Barnea of the Mossad, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel.

“The meeting witnessed a review of the developments of the current situation,” according to the announcement, and “confirmed the continued consultation and intensive coordination to achieve the goals of the ceasefire, the protection of civilians and [work toward a] two-state solution, in a manner that enhances efforts to establish security and stability in the region.”