In a statement, the Hamas terrorists reiterated that they do not accept the peace plan that has been discussed for weeks: “The new proposal responds to Netanyahu’s conditions and is consistent with them, especially the permanent postponement of the ceasefire, the comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and his insistence on continuing to occupy Netzer, the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphia axis. In addition, new conditions have been set in the case of the prisoner exchange, and Netanyahu has withdrawn from other conditions, and this prevents the completion of the agreement.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, shortly before the war cabinet meeting, said: “We are negotiating, not compromising. There are things we can be flexible on and there are things we cannot be flexible on, and we insist on these. We know very well how to distinguish between the two. Therefore, in addition to the great efforts we are making to return our abductees, we remain firm on the principles we have established, which are essential for Israel’s security.”
Despite Hamas’s latest refusal, an operational delegation consisting of members of the Shin Bet, the IDF and the coordinator of government operations in the territories arrived in Cairo. A source close to the negotiations told Ylnet that the current situation is complex and delicate, and that it will take a couple of days to observe any developments. According to this source, it is clear that without a concession from Netanyahu, no agreement can be reached. It is also crucial to understand the red lines of Hamas leader Sinwar, and an Israeli official stressed that Hamas is playing with its cards close to its chest: “Perhaps it is waiting for a regional conflict with Iran and Hezbollah to develop. Only when it realizes that it has no alternative will it be possible to reach an agreement. Qatar and Egypt must demonstrate to the United States that they are exerting pressure, but in reality they have no real tools to influence Hamas.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Hamas was to blame for the failure to reach a deal on the hostages. Herzog made the remarks during his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken: “It is important to understand that this all stems from Hamas’ refusal to move forward.” Herzog, as reported by the Times of Israel, stressed that he remained confident in the possibility of moving forward in negotiations mediated by third countries, thanking the United States, Egypt and Qatar for their efforts. “There is no more important humanitarian goal than bringing our hostages home, as should have happened long ago,” the Israeli president said, expressing gratitude to Joe Biden “for demonstrating and projecting strength in this region in the face of Iranian threats.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, visiting Israel to push for a truce in Gaza, said the current negotiations may be the last opportunity to reach a deal to end the conflict: “This is a crucial moment, probably the best, and perhaps the last, opportunity to bring the hostages home, to get a ceasefire, and to put everyone on a path to lasting peace and security,” Blinken said during his meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, his ninth trip to the region since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out in October.
Despite the widespread climate of pessimism, US President Joe Biden, in a brief meeting with the press, said that a truce in Gaza “is still possible” and assured that the United States “is not abandoning its efforts”. The police and Shin Bet have a 99.9 percent suspicion that the explosion that occurred Sunday evening near a truck in the Hatikva neighborhood of Tel Aviv was a failed terrorist attack. The investigation continued throughout the night, but the individual killed in the explosion has not yet been identified. With this, suspicions grow that it was a terrorist who was carrying a bomb on his body and was trying to carry out what would have been the first attack in Tel Aviv in years. Assistant Commissioner Haim Bublil, commander of the Ayalon district in the Tel Aviv district, told Kan Reshet Bet: “We have a more reliable estimate that it was an attack. It is something of a miracle that it did not explode in the nearby synagogue or the shopping center. It could have ended with dozens of deaths.” Meanwhile, the war continues. According to the Israel Defense Forces’ social media channels, Israeli fighter jets struck several buildings used by Hezbollah in the southern Lebanese towns of Ayta ash-Shab, Beit Lif and Houla last night. At the same time, a series of sirens sounded in the Western Galilee this morning, signaling the possible presence of rockets and suspected drones.
