WH denies The Post's report about a 5-day truce deal reached in Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Washington Post + Agencies
19 Nov 2023 06:17
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The White House National Security Council spokeswoman denies a five-day truce agreement between the Palestinian Resistance and the Israeli occupation has been reached.

A large banner that says "Biden: Ceasefire Now" along with fake white body bags, representing those killed in Gaza and Israel, is displayed in front of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

The United States said Saturday it was still working to secure a deal between the Israeli occupation and Hamas after a reported tentative agreement to free women and children held captives in Gaza in exchange for a five-day truce.

"We have not reached a deal yet, but we continue to work hard to get to a deal," White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said on X, in response to The Washington Post reporting a deal had been agreed.

We have not reached a deal yet, but we continue to work hard to get to a deal. https://t.co/rbSqcqfaKo
— Adrienne Watson (@NSC_Spox) November 19, 2023

The Post said a detailed, six-page agreement could mean captive releases begin within days and could also lead to the first sustained pause in the fighting between the Palestinian Resistance and the Israeli occupation forces.

Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper said Israeli occupation forces and the Palestinian Resistance would halt "combat operations" for at least five days while an initial 50 or more captives are released in smaller batches every 24 hours, with overhead surveillance monitoring movement to police the pause.

According to the report, "It was not immediately clear how many of the 239 people believed to be in captivity in Gaza would be released under the deal."

It highlighted that "the stop in fighting is also intended to allow a significant increase in the amount of humanitarian assistance, including fuel, to enter the besieged enclave from Egypt."

The Washington Post cited Arab and other diplomats as saying that "the outline of a deal was put together during weeks of talks in Doha, Qatar among Israel, the United States and Hamas, indirectly represented by Qatari mediators."

"It remained unclear until now that Israel would agree to temporarily pause its offensive in Gaza, provided the conditions were right," the newspaper noted.

In the same context, one person familiar with the matter pointed out that "the decision to accept the deal is difficult for Israel."

It is worth noting that CNN mentioned earlier that one of the sticking points in the negotiations to reach a temporary ceasefire agreement in exchange for the release of Israeli captives is Hamas' demand to stop the flight of Israeli reconnaissance drones over the Gaza Strip. In addition, the sticking points also include the number of days the potential cessation of fighting will last, and the number of captives who will be released, CNN reported citing informed sources.

Earlier on Saturday, families and supporters of the 240 Israeli captives rallied in "Tel Aviv" to call on the regime to act immediately on the release of captives, Israeli news agencies reported.

At least 25,000 Israeli settlers participated in the march that kicked off in "Tel Aviv." Protesters marched toward occupied al-Quds where the Israeli Prime Minister's office is located.

Thousands of family members of Israeli captives protested in "Tel Aviv," demanding that Netanyahu's government ensure their release. pic.twitter.com/cvFnIVm6K2
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 18, 2023

The families of Israeli captives have doubled down efforts to exert pressure on Netanyahu's government amid conflicting information about a potential prisoner swap deal with the Palestinian Resistance, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. Israeli settlers have been criticizing Netanyahu for his incompetence in dealing with the matter and have called for his resignation.

On November 9, the military spokesperson for Al-Quds Brigades Abu Hamza announced the Resistance's renunciation of its responsibilities toward Israeli captives given the brutal Israeli bombardment on the Gaza Strip.

Last week, the spokesperson for Al-Qassam Brigades Abu Obeida revealed that the Resistance was on the verge of releasing 12 captives of foreign nationalities but the deal was obstructed by "Israel".

A poll published by the Israeli newspaper Maariv a week ago reported that 60% of Israeli settlers support a ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate the return of captives.