Hardline ministers warn of ousting Netanyahu from power.
U.S. President Biden introduces a proposal for a weapons-free truce in Gaza, claiming it originated from the Israeli government. Yet, Netanyahu states that their war objectives haven't changed. Two ultra-right cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, threaten to disband the National Government led by Benjamin Netanyahu by posting on the platform X.
Regarding a prisoner exchange deal, Ben Gvir and Smotrich issued statements on X, categorizing Biden's plan as a "triumph for terrorism and a potential threat to the State of Israel." Ben Gvir said, "I won't be part of a government that agrees to the outlined proposition." Smotrich declared on X, "I will not be involved in a government that signs this draft." Their stance insisted on continuing the fight until Hamas is "obliterated and all hostages are returned."
On Friday, Biden intervened, asserting that Israel has proposed a comprehensive agreement in discussions to secure a no-weapons truce in the Gaza Strip and to release captives. "It's time to conclude this conflict," Biden shared in a broadcast from the White House. He emphasized the significance of seizing the opportunity for peace. Biden's offer involved a multi-phase proposal within the first six weeks: a complete arms ceasefire, the pullout of Israeli troops from populated Gaza regions, and the liberation of a series of captives - women, elderly, and the wounded - in exchange for releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons. During these six weeks, Israelis and Hamas representatives are invited for "uninterrupted peace talks." The ceasefire would endurably stand, so long as the negotiations continue.
Netanyahu, however, reiterated that Israel would carry on with the war even if all its objectives were met. "Israel's demands for terminating the war remain unchanged," said the Israeli prime minister. His stipulations consist of Hamas' military annihilation, unraveling its rule, unconditional hostage release, and ensuring no more threats would emerge from the Gaza Strip to Israel.
Mass demonstration for the captives' release
In Gaza City, thousands of Palestinians marched on Saturday in solidarity for the hostages' release. Chanting anti-Israel slogans, they demanded the liberation of all prisoners held by the Israeli government. The protest was instigated by Hamas' allied Islamic Jihad movement.
Overnight, the Israeli military reported over a hundred assaults on targets in Gaza, targeting a high-rise building in Gaza City that housed several media outlets' headquarters. The structure was demolished, and at least one civilian was killed in the attack. Furthermore, according to the Israeli army, they bombarded a Hamas military base in the southern Gaza Strip, resulting in at least 10 casualties. The Israeli military justified its actions due to rocket fire originating from Gaza.
On Saturday, the United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session to address the situation in the Middle East. Upon request from the United States, who held the rotating presidency, the meeting was scheduled to primarily focus on the continuous clash between Israel and the Palestinian militant organization Hamas.
The United Nations proclaimed an immediate ceasefire and stressed the need for both parties to resume negotiations. Meanwhile, the United States highlighted the necessity of halting the violence and facilitating peace talks.
Concurrently in Tel Aviv, approximately 120,000 Israelis gathered for a peaceful protest in support of Biden's plan. They flaunted Israeli and American flags and brandished banners boasting phrases like "Bring them home," "Biden is our only hope," and "Biden, we trust you." Karen, a demonstrator, told AFP, "Biden values our hostages higher than Netanyahu."
Following the meeting, the "Times of Israel" revealed that a mother of an Israeli captive held in Gaza detected hope in Biden's speech. After a long period of despair, she expressed that Biden's public announcement offered her the first genuine optimism. She cautioned that Netanyahu had yet to provide a public affirmation on the deal.
The newspaper mentioned that roughly 120,000 people attended the Tel Aviv demonstration, making it the most extensive gathering since October 7th. Testimonies and reports suggest occasional clashes between certain attendees and police in Tel Aviv. Allegedly, several arrests were made by the police.
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- In response to Joe Biden's proposal for a weapons-free truce in the Gaza Strip, which allegedly originated from the Israeli government, Benjamin Netanyahu maintained that Israel's war objectives in the Gaza Strip, such as the annihilation of Hamas and the unconditional release of hostages, remain unchanged.
- Despite Joe Biden's offer of a prisoner exchange deal, which involved releasing Palestinian prisoners in exchange for freeing Israeli captives held in Gaza, two hardline ministers, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, threatened to disband the Netanyahu-led National Government by posting statements on the platform X, labeling Biden's plan as a "triumph for terrorism" and a potential threat to Israel.
- Following the United Nations Security Council's emergency session to address the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Joseph Biden, during a broadcast from the White House, emphasized the significance of seizing the opportunity for peace and implementing his multi-phase proposal, which included a comprehensive agreement for a no-weapons truce in the Gaza Strip and the release of captives.
