America intensifies its influence on Israel
During a Phone Call on Wednesday, Biden Emphasized the Need for a Settlement, Stating It on an Online Platform X. Discussions Also Covered Upcoming Talks in Cairo and Clearing Remaining Issues. Moreover, Biden Informed Netanyahu about America's Initiatives to Help Israel Defend Against Threats from Iran and Its Terror Proxies.
As per White House Statements, Biden, Netanyahu, and Vice President Harris went over the "Truce and Hostage Release Deal" and Regional Tension Reduction Plans in Light of Iran's Recent Threats. The Fear of Escalation Surged After the Assassinations of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah Military Chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut in Late July.
Netanyahu's Office Confirmed the Call, Refraining from Disclosing Particulars. However, Israeli Newspaper "Yediot Ahronot" Revealed Insiders' Sources, Suggesting the "Probability of an Agreement" was "Unlikely." Reports Also Surfaced of Further Conversations Planned in Cairo on Friday and Saturday.
According to the Insiders, Netanyahu pushed for an Israeli Military Base "Along the Philadelphi Corridor" while the USA Asked for "Sizable Troop Retreat" in Two Phases. US Envoy Brett McGurk Journeyed to Cairo to Prepare the Meeting and Address the Philadelphi Corridor Issue.
The US Presented a New Mediation Offer to Israel and Hamas a Few Days Prior, which Mediators Reported "Narrowed Remaining Gaps". Israel Consented to the Plan, But, According to Biden, Hamas Pulled Back from an Agreement with Israel.
Blinken Concluded His Egypt and Qatar Excursion on Tuesday Evening without an Accord. Fresh Negotiations Between Israel and the Mediators are Planned for the Week's End in Cairo, though the Date is Yet to Be Confirmed. Hamas Didn't Participate in the Doha Talks' Latest Round.
The Philadelphi Corridor's Control Is the Main Dispute, Its Southern Border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Netanyahu's Office Announced the Prime Minister's Demand for "Achieving All Objectives", which Required "Securing the Southern Border" between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.
However, Hamas, Initiator of Attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip Ten Months Ago, Causing the Gaza War, and Seeking Israel's Demise, Demanded a Total Israeli Army Withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
On October 7, fighters from Hamas and Other Palestinian Extremist Groups Launched a Massive Attack on Israel, Resulting in the Brutal Death of 1199 Individuals and the Capture of 251 Hostages to the Gaza Strip. According to Israeli Reports, 105 Hostages Still Remain, 34 of Whom are Reportedly Dead.
Since Then, Israel Has been Conducting Massive Military Operations in the Gaza Strip. According to Data from the Hamas-Managed Health Ministry, Over 40,200 People have Died So Far.
Subsequently, the Chief of Israel's Military Intelligence Agency, Aman, Aaron Haliva, Apologized to Israelis for Failures on October 7 during his Farewell Ceremony. This was the First Time a Civilian or Military Official Had Apologized for the Lapses in Israel's Security Agencies on October 7.
Meanwhile, the Parents of Hamas Hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin Laid out Their Son's Plight. Rachel Goldberg Spoke at the Democratic Party Convention in the US, Saying, "Among the Hostages are Eight American Citizens, and One of Them is Our Only Son." Jon Polin Stressed the "Sadness" of Gaza Strip Residents, Commenting, "There are No Winners in a Suffering Competition."
The upcoming talks in Cairo, as mentioned during the phone call, are scheduled for Friday and Saturday. The disputed Philadelphi Corridor, located between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, is a key point of contention during these negotiations, with Netanyahu demanding its secure control.
