US urges 'Israel' to send delegation to Paris for swap deal: Axios
4 Min Read
The Israeli leadership might opt to disregard US requests and choose not to dispatch a delegation to Paris.
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Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns speaks during an event at the Georgia Institute of Technology on Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Atlanta (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Axios reported on Thursday that the Biden administration is urging Israeli officials to attend talks in Paris this week regarding a potential exchange deal with Hamas.
The administration reportedly informed Israeli officials of some progress in negotiations facilitated by Egyptian and Qatari mediators with Hamas, sources with knowledge on the matter told Axios.
During a recent meeting in occupied Al-Quds, White House Coordinator for the MENA region Brett McGurk recently conveyed to the Israeli leadership the Biden administration's desire to see a deal before Ramadan, indicating that Hamas is willing to make compromises on its demands.
McGurk also urged Israeli officials to dispatch a delegation to Paris, noting that doing so would enhance the prospects of reaching a deal and securing the release of captives in Gaza.
However, the sources pointed out uncertainty regarding the delegation's negotiating authority should Netanyahu opt to send one to Paris.
The Israeli war cabinet is scheduled to convene later today to decide whether to send a delegation to Paris.
Axios reported on Wednesday that CIA Director William Burns is scheduled to meet with Qatari, Egyptian, and Israeli officials in Paris on Friday to discuss an exchange deal.
Read more: Resistance marks end of Netanyahu’s dream: Hamdan to Al Mayadeen
No Negotiating Power
The sources are likely right in suggesting that a delegation will possibly have no authority to negotiate if dispatched to Paris.
This is evidenced not only by previous statements of Israeli officials openly stating that the return of captives is not a "top priority," but also by the Israeli regime's lack of intent to comply with US demands regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The notion that "Israel" is firmly committed to wiping out the Palestinian resistance along with the people of Gaza implies that any negotiation would be irrelevant.
The genocidal nature of the apartheid regime was echoed in recent remarks issued by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, which stated that the occupation's rejection of an independent Palestinian state is further evidence of its warmongering.
Palestinian Sovereignty Unilaterally Rejected
On Wednesday, the Knesset approved a government resolution to unilaterally reject the recognition of a Palestinian state. The proposal was passed with an overwhelming majority of votes, as 99 out of 120 Israeli lawmakers backed the legislation.
The motion was initially approved by the cabinet on Sunday and is now due to be enacted following its passage by the Knesset.
On the day of its passing at the cabinet level, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained that the resolution aims to reject so-called "international diktats" regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians. He further stated that if a settlement were to be reached, "it would come about solely through direct negotiations between the parties, without preconditions."
Read more: UK eyes suspending arms to 'Israel' if it pursues Rafah invasion
This issue raises an important setback for the US, which for the last four years, since the inception of the Abraham Accords, has been actively trying to push for normalization of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and the Israeli regime.
Saudi Arabia has stated multiple times that the only obstacle standing in the way of a normalization deal is the establishment of a Palestinian State.
However, from the Israeli perspective, granting Palestine sovereignty would equate to "a prize to the Palestinians for what happened on Oct. 7," Netanyahu told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier this month.
To make matters worse, amid a surge in resistance operations across the region and a decline in "Israel's" global reputation, the regime has been deliberately escalating provocations in an attempt to drag the US into a regional war.
Not only have Resistance groups across the Middle East been targeting Israeli-linked elements in response to the genocide, but Cairo has also warned that it would be compelled to terminate "peace" agreements with the regime if the city of Rafah in Gaza were to be invaded.
Meanwhile, discussions are reportedly taking place regarding the potential withdrawal of US troops in both Iraq and Syria.
In case Netanyahu proceeds with his plan to invade Rafah, the US may decide to scale back on its decision to withdraw troops. The matter remains open to debate.
