Netanyahu faces coalition disintegration as far-right ministers make threats in Israel.
The Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, declares on social media that he will not partake in a government that approves the proposed plan. Smotrich declares that the conflict will only cease when the radical Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas is "eliminated" and all hostages are "returned."
On Friday, US President Joe Biden stated in a televised address at the White House that Israel had put forth a "comprehensive" plan for the Gaza Strip's ceasefire negotiations and the liberation of prisoners. He pleaded, "It's time to end this combat." Biden emphasized that the possibility of peace shouldn't be "squandered." The proposal, as stated by the US president, is a "roadmap to a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages." According to Biden, the deal must be accepted by Hamas.
Biden detailed that Israel's multi-phase offer covers a full ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli troops from all populated areas in the Gaza Strip, and a phased release of hostages, including women, the elderly, and the injured, in exchange for the release of numerous Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. A six-week timetable is proposed for these events.
During these six weeks, Israel and Hamas would negotiate a "permanent cessation of hostilities," with the ceasefire remaining in effect as long as the talks proceeded. The second stage would involve the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and Hamas must release "all remaining hostages." Should both sides abide by the deal, the fighting would end. The third phase entails the implementation of a reconstruction and stabilization plan for the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu re-emphasized on Saturday that Israel would carry on the war until achieving all its objectives. "Israel's demands for ending the war remain unchanged," affirmed the Israeli prime minister. Amid these demands were the annihilation of Hamas' military assets and their power to govern alongside the "return of all hostages." Israel must guarantee that no threat remains from the Gaza Strip.
Thousands of Israelis protested on Saturday in support of accepting the plan in Tel Aviv. They brandished Israeli and US flags and carried signs bearing slogans like "Bring them home," "Biden is our only hope," and "Biden, we trust you." A protestor by the name of Karen conveyed to the news agency AFP, "Biden cares more about our hostages than Netanyahu."
The militants from Hamas and other militant groups initiated a large-scale assault on Israel on October 7, which resulted in the death of more than 1189 people, as per Israeli data. Moreover, 252 people have been taken hostage in the Gaza Strip, with 121 of them still held by Hamas, per Israeli figures. 37 of these hostages are said to have already perished.
In response to the extensive assault, Israel has been conducting military operations in the Gaza Strip since then. According to the health ministry controlled by Hamas, approximately 36,300 individuals have perished in the violence thus far. This figure cannot be independently verified.
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- Despite the coalition disintegration threats from far-right ministers like Bezalel Smotrich, Prime Minister Netanyahu is urged by US President Joe Biden to consider the proposed plan for the Gaza Strip's ceasefire negotiations and hostage release.
- During his address at the White House, Biden called on Israel to end its conflict with Hamas and emphasized that peace should not be squandered.
- Smotrich, the Israeli Finance Minister, refuses to participate in a government that supports the plan, insisting that Hamas must be "eliminated" and all hostages, including women and the elderly, returned.
- The US president's proposal includes a multi-phase offer of a full ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, and a phased hostage release in exchange for Palestinian prisoner releases, with negotiations for a "permanent cessation of hostilities" to follow.
- Itamar Ben-Gvir, a right-wing extremist and Minister of National Security in Israel's coalition government, has voiced his support for Smotrich's stance and expressed concerns about the potential release of Hamas members.
- Netanyahu remains firm in his desire to continue the conflict until achieving all Israeli objectives, including the annihilation of Hamas's military assets, their depowerment, and the return of all hostages.
- Biden's statement on the plan and his calls for dialogue have received support from thousands of Israelis, who protested in Tel Aviv, carrying US and Israeli flags and signs encouraging the release of hostages.
- The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in the death of over 1189 people and the capture of 252 hostages, with 121 of them still held by Hamas and 37 reportedly dead.
