ANDUnited States, insisted this Tuesday that it is “time to finalize” a truce agreement in Gaza, despite the fact that the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, warned that would not give in to pressure to reach a deal with Hamas.
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“There are dozens of hostages still in Gaza, waiting for a deal that will bring them home. It’s time to finalize that deal,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
His statements come just two days after the Israeli army announces discovery of six hostage bodies in Gaza Strip tunnelskilled according to the armed body by bullet impact at close range.
Tensions in the UN Security Council
Thousands of demonstrators in support of the families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza take part in a protest rally in front of the Kyria military headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel, on September 01, 2024.
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The hostages were captured and taken to Gaza in an attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on October 7 in southern Israel. The Israeli retaliation has left tens of thousands dead in the besieged Palestinian territory, which was targeted on Tuesday by new bombings.
The discovery of the bodies brought thousands of people onto the streets on Monday and triggered a general strike in Israel.in an attempt to increase pressure on the government to reach an agreement with Hamas that would allow the release of the hostages still in Gaza.
The US diplomatic spokesman said that Washington will work “in the coming days” with mediators Egypt and Qatar “to push for a definitive agreement.”
The American president, Joe Bidenhe reproached on Monday Netanyahu not doing enough to achieve a truce agreementincluding the release of Palestinian hostages and prisoners held by Israel.
Netanyahu, however, stressed that he would not give in to pressure and would maintain military pressure on Hamas, which rules Gaza and is considered a “terrorist” organization by Israel, the United States and the European Union.
Key details of the proposal and sticking points
A Palestinian girl suffering from malnutrition sits on the floor on a blanket at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, on July 08, 2024. (File photo)
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From Washington, a senior official in the Joe Biden administration reported that negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas are close to being finalized, although there are still two pending issues: the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages and the position of Israeli forces in Gaza during the first phase of the agreement.
The proposal includes the initial release of about 800 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the most vulnerable hostages, such as women, the elderly and those in poor health.
In addition, a significant component of humanitarian aidallowing hundreds of trucks with supplies to enter Gaza every day. However, some differences remain, especially over control of the Philadelphia Corridor, considered crucial by Netanyahu for Israel’s security.
Despite the challenges, U.S. officials believe this agreement represents the best option to end the conflict and achieve the release of the hostages.
Despite US efforts, tension remains high
Protests in Israel calling for an agreement to release hostages held by Hamas.
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After publicly asking “Sorry for not coming back alive” Regarding the hostages found dead, Netanyahu on Monday accused Hamas of having “executed” them with a “bullet in the back of the head” and promised that the Islamist movement would pay “a very high price.”
Now we must put maximum pressure on Hamas.
“I will not give in to pressure… No one is more committed to the release of the hostages than I am. No one can lecture me on this,” he said in Jerusalem.
“We must now exert maximum pressure on Hamas,” which “must make concessions,” he added.
In this context, he reaffirmed the need for Israel to maintain the control of the Philadelphia corridoralong the border between Gaza and Egypt, a stumbling block in the negotiations.
“We oppose the long-term presence of Israel Defense Forces troops in Gaza,” Miller said Tuesday.
“Closing a deal will require flexibility on both sides. It will require both sides to look for reasons to say yes rather than reasons to say no,” he added.
The Islamist movement demands that all forces Israelis leave Palestinian territory.
Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, warned on Monday that the hostages still held in Gaza would return “in coffins” if Israel maintained its military pressure “instead of reaching an agreement.”
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Tuesday called for an “independent, impartial and transparent” investigation into the “summary execution” of the hostages found.
Netanyahu says he will continue the war until Hamas is destroyed.
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