Strengthened stances regarding potential fresh discussions on a truce for Gaza.
In a telephone conversation, Biden and Netanyahu, with Kamala Harris in attendance, discussed ways to de-escalate the situation, as the White House announced on Wednesday (local time). Biden informed Netanyahu about the US efforts to aid Israel's defense against threats from Iran and its affiliated terrorist groups. The threats intensified following the assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut at the end of July, which led Iran and its proxies to threaten Israel with retaliation, causing concerns of regional conflict.
The territorial control of the Philadelphi Corridor, the boundary between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, is a significant aspect of the negotiation process. Netanyahu's office indicated that the prime minister is determined to accomplish "all war objectives," which involves "securing the border" between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.
Israel's government spokesman, David Mencer, depicted the corridor as Hamas's "lifeblood." Israel alleges that Hamas exploits the Philadelphi Corridor area for weapon smuggling. Reports suggesting a Israeli withdrawal from the corridor are unfounded, Mencer asserted.
Previously, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had expressed that Netanyahu had agreed to a US-suggested compromise and had made specific promises regarding the deployment and withdrawal of Israeli troops. "Sources close to the negotiations" reported that "the Americans have admitted their error," the Israeli newspaper, "Yediot Ahronot", stated.
The likelihood of a breakthrough is said to be "slim," according to the newspaper, citing sources familiar with the negotiations. US Middle East envoy Brett McGurk is being dispatched to Cairo to prepare for the meeting and address the Philadelphi Corridor issue.
Blinken exchanged words with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, on Thursday, discussing their joint efforts to reach an agreement. Both stressed the importance of avoiding actions from regional actors that could hinder efforts towards an agreement.
The US, Qatar, and Egypt are currently acting as mediators in the conflict. A meeting between Al-Thani and Blinken during Blinken's Middle East trip earlier this week had to be canceled due to health concerns. Blinken left Doha without achieving any tangible results.
A new round of negotiations between Israel and the mediators is scheduled for the end of the week in Cairo, though the exact date remains undetermined. Hamas did not participate in the previous talks in Doha.
Hamas demands a complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip. Hamas claimed that the US proposal closely mirrored Netanyahu's demands, with the Israeli prime minister hindering an agreement by insisting on maintaining control over the Philadelphi Corridor and the Netzarim Corridor in the center of the Gaza Strip. Witnesses reported clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians at the Netzarim Corridor on Thursday.
While fighting in the Gaza Strip persisted, the Palestinian Civil Defense, governed by Hamas, reported that at least five people were killed in an Israeli strike on Thursday in Khan Yunis, located in the southern Gaza Strip. Witnesses also reported air strikes in the south and center of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army claimed it targeted Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah in the north.
Israel has been carrying out a substantial military operation in the Gaza Strip as a retaliation for the major assault by Hamas on Israel on October 7. According to the Hamas-controlled health ministry, which cannot be independently verified, over 40,260 individuals have been killed so far.
On October 7, militants from Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups launched a major attack on Israel, resulting in the brutal death of 1199 individuals and the capture of 251 hostages in the Gaza Strip. As per Israeli reports, 105 individuals are still being detained, with 34 officially confirmed dead.
The Israeli army announced that it had retrieved the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in the Khan Yunis area on Monday night. An investigation found that all the deceased had gunshot wounds, an AFP military spokesperson stated on Thursday. "Investigations into the circumstances of their deaths are ongoing," he added.
I'm not going to engage in discussions about the deployment of troops in the Philadelphi Corridor, as that is a matter between Israel's government and the mediators.
Following the clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians at the Netzarim Corridor, I'm not going to speculate on the causes or intentions behind these incidents.
