The series of statements issued by security and political entities in Tel Aviv, as well as by families of Israeli prisoners, have carried concerns about a “hidden agenda” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to sabotage a prisoner exchange deal that had re-emerged on the horizon following Hamas’ recent response.
On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to send a negotiating delegation to Doha, led by Mossad director David Barnea, to participate in proposed talks for a prisoner exchange with Hamas and a ceasefire in Gaza, following a new response from Hamas intermediaries.
While multiple sources in Tel Aviv indicate optimism regarding an agreement based on Hamas’ recent response, fears persist of Netanyahu’s hidden intent to derail the deal, fearing the withdrawal of far-right parties from the government.
Israeli Channel 12 quoted a senior official in the Israeli occupation as saying, “Hamas’ response to the deal includes a breakthrough, and now it depends on Netanyahu.”
The official pointed out concerns and anxieties among the Israeli negotiating team that close associates of Netanyahu could undermine the opportunity to reach a calming deal.
Similarly, Israeli Channel 13 reported similar statements from sources within the negotiating team, affirming a significant opportunity for agreement if Netanyahu allows it to proceed as necessary.
Netanyahu’s statement released Thursday evening from his office sparked anger within Israeli security circles. Channel 12 reported that a security source from Netanyahu’s office issued a statement saying, “Hamas continues to insist on a fundamental clause in the document that prevents us from returning to fighting after the initial stage of the document, which is unacceptable to Israel.”
In response, “officials familiar with the negotiations expressed astonishment at the emphasis on disagreements in the security source’s statement,” according to the channel.
They clarified that while Hamas’ response may not be ideal, it allows for a return to negotiations, which is actionable.
Israeli media observers viewed the security source’s statement as Netanyahu’s attempt to “block the path” to the possibility of resuming negotiations.
The channel reported from an unnamed Israeli official: “We received an answer (from Hamas) without demanding a commitment to stop the war in the first stage. We can return women, wounded, sick, and elderly.”
He continued, “We can return to fighting if Hamas breaches the agreement. There is a basis for a good deal.”
According to the official broadcast, the statement issued by “a senior security source in the Prime Minister’s Office highlights the gap between Netanyahu and the Israeli security establishment.”
It added that “according to sources familiar with the details, Hamas’ response is relatively positive, and progress can be made in talks in Cairo or Doha.”
Responsible sources, according to the broadcast, said that Netanyahu’s recent statements and behavior have confirmed the contentious issues, making progress difficult in negotiations.
Meanwhile, “Yedioth Ahronoth” quoted Israeli security officials as saying, “This is the best offer (from Hamas) so far and forms the basis for progress.”
Political criticism and threats of protests followed
Former Israeli Minister of War Gadi Eisenkot said his country was “closest to reaching a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas,” but he reiterated doubts that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would accept the current agreement.
Eisenkot, a member of the opposition “National Unity” party in the Knesset, told the Hebrew news site “Walla”: “We are at the closest point to reaching an agreement (with Hamas on detainees) in 9 months.”
However, he added, “Unfortunately, I find it difficult to see Netanyahu rising to the level of strategic leadership and making an extremely difficult decision to stop the war and accept the deal, informing (Finance Minister Yair) Lapid and (National Security Minister Ehud) Barak that this is the right thing to do.”
In this regard, Eisenkot believed Netanyahu faces a “strategic dilemma in returning detainees (Israeli in Gaza) in exchange for the government’s survival.”
He continued, “Netanyahu today is constrained by personal and political needs beyond his ability to save the state of Israel. He no longer enjoys these leadership capabilities, which is why he must be replaced.”
Critics of the Israeli government, including families of detainees in Gaza, escalated their demands in recent weeks for early elections and a prisoner exchange deal with Palestinian factions, as well as a ceasefire in Gaza.
On Thursday morning, families of Israeli prisoners in Gaza threatened to organize “million-man” protests if Netanyahu’s government failed to seal a prisoner exchange deal emerging with Palestinian factions in the sector.
Smotrich and Ben Gvir oppose reaching an agreement that includes the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli prisoners, and also includes a halt to the ongoing war against Gaza since October.
In addition to their opposition to any agreement involving a ceasefire, Ben Gvir and Smotrich have called for “the occupation of Gaza and the establishment of Jewish settlements there, and the voluntary displacement of residents from the sector.”
They have repeatedly threatened to overthrow Netanyahu’s government if the latter accepts an agreement to end the war on Gaza.
Tel Aviv estimates there are 120 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, while Hamas has announced the deaths of more than 70 prisoners in random Israeli airstrikes, which hold more than 9,500 Palestinians in its prisons.
Washington: Great reception
For its part, the White House said on Thursday that President Joe Biden welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to send a delegation to participate in talks on a proposed prisoner exchange with Hamas and a ceasefire in Gaza.
The White House statement explained that President Biden had a phone call with Netanyahu, discussing “ongoing efforts to finalize an agreement to cease fire and release hostages.”
A senior official in the U.S. administration said the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) had made a very significant amendment to its position on a potential agreement with Israel.
The official expressed hope that Hamas’ response would advance the process, adding that it could provide a basis for an agreement regarding hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.
The official told journalists during a telephone conference, “There is a great opportunity to reach an agreement on hostages.”
He added that there is significant work to be done in terms of implementing the agreement, and it is unlikely that an agreement will be reached within days.
Hamas: The ball is in Netanyahu’s court
Ali Baraka, head of the National Relations Department in Hamas abroad, said the movement responded “positively” to the latest initiative to reach an agreement ensuring a ceasefire in Gaza. He informed mediators that it supports any initiative that meets the demands of the Palestinian people.
This came in statements to Anadolu, where Baraka spoke about the latest initiative to cease fire and Hamas’ position on it.
Baraka added: “Hamas and Palestinian resistance factions are open to any initiative that meets the demands of the Palestinian people, especially a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of the occupation army from Gaza, the return of refugees to their homes, as well as providing assistance and starting reconstruction and rebuilding.”
Regarding the negotiation situation, Baraka said, “The ball is in the Israeli court because the criminal Netanyahu refuses a permanent ceasefire and always insists that he wants to continue his aggression against the Palestinian people.”
He explained that “Netanyahu always evades and lies, and he wants to prolong the duration of this battle because when it stops, he will go to court on charges of corruption, so he procrastinates and prolongs the duration of this battle, considering it a personal battle for him.”
For months, mediation efforts led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have been trying to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas to guarantee the exchange of prisoners from both sides and a ceasefire, ensuring the entry of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territories.
However, mediation efforts have been hampered due to Netanyahu’s refusal to respond to Hamas’ demands for a ceasefire.
Palestinian factions agreed on May 6 to a proposed agreement to cease fire and exchange prisoners proposed by Egypt and Qatar, but Israel rejected it, claiming it “did not meet its conditions.”
For nine months, Israel has waged a devastating war on Gaza with absolute American support, resulting in more than 125,000 Palestinian deaths and injuries, mostly children and women, and over 10,000 missing amid massive destruction and a famine that claimed the lives of dozens of children.
Tel Aviv continues its war, ignoring two resolutions by the United Nations Security Council to stop it immediately, and orders from the International Court of Justice to take measures to prevent genocide, and to improve the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
