Today, the White House is reacting to the confusion over what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to in the latest ceasefire proposal. Last week, President Biden framed the three-phase plan as a way to end the war in Gaza and return all hostages over time. Hamas expressed a positive view of the proposal. However, Netanyahu informed an Israeli government committee that claims of Israel agreeing to a permanent ceasefire deal without meeting Israeli conditions are false. Netanyahu is under pressure from the far right of his coalition, with two ministers threatening to dissolve the party supporting him if he implements the deal.
There is a discrepancy in how President Biden and Netanyahu interpret the agreement, leading to confusion. Biden aims to end the war and believes a ceasefire will facilitate negotiations, potentially lasting for weeks or months. Netanyahu faces backlash from his coalition's far-right members, who oppose the deal's implications on defeating Hamas and returning hostages.
The negotiations require both Israel and Hamas to agree to a permanent ceasefire during the initial phase. Hamas has not officially responded to Biden's speech but has insisted on an end to the war as a precondition. The situation in Rafah remains tense, with Israeli military operations ongoing but limited in scale compared to previous offensives. The military is conducting targeted raids using special forces, causing significant displacement and humanitarian concerns.
Despite the limited ground offensive, Israeli airstrikes continue across Gaza, resulting in casualties, including civilian deaths. The White House acknowledges Israel's operations in Rafah but emphasizes the need for restraint to avoid escalating the conflict further.
