The newspaper referred in its report to what was published by the Israeli Channel 12, which revealed a conversation that took place this week between Netanyahu and Biden.
The channel reported that Netanyahu told Biden during the call: “We are making progress in the negotiations, send a delegation to follow up on the details,” to which Biden responded by saying: “Stop deceiving me.”
The report says that Biden and senior US officials are deeply frustrated by the repercussions of the Israeli assassinations in Beirut and Tehran.
According to the newspaper, the objection stems from the American feeling that Netanyahu concealed from Biden his plans to carry out assassinations, after he left the impression last week by responding to the US president’s request to focus on reaching an agreement on Gaza.
In addition to the clear tension between Netanyahu, Biden, and American officials, new information has emerged about the escalation of tension in the discussions between Netanyahu and Israeli security leaders, regarding the exchange deal.
Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi told Netanyahu that there were conditions for a prisoner exchange deal, adding, “I think it is right to enter into negotiations and achieve the best possible outcome.”
“We will continue to pressure the factions’ movement until then, and after securing the deal, we can turn our attention to the north,” Halevi stressed. “As for the Philadelphi corridor, I suggest not making it an obstacle that prevents us from returning 30 prisoners to the homeland in the first stage, half of whom are women.”
Defense Minister Yoav Galant supported Halevi’s demands, saying: “For moral and strategic reasons, I believe we must view the deal as an opportunity. There will be no deal under the conditions you have set, and you know that. There is no security reason to delay the deal, and since we are speaking frankly, I will tell you that your considerations, Mr. Netanyahu, are not in the interest of the deal.”
Sources familiar with the hostage deal negotiations told Channel 12: “This is a protocol trip, and a waste of time. Netanyahu’s current positions will not lead to real progress.”
Following these reports, the Prime Minister’s Office reiterated its statement that Netanyahu expects the United States not to interfere in Israeli politics.
The office added that “leaks and false briefings from anonymous sources in the media create a misleading impression among the public.”
For his part, “Netanyahu did not add any new clauses to the exchange deal plan that was presented on May 27, and he continues to adhere to the basic conditions for Israel’s security according to the outlines mentioned therein, which include: maximizing the release of living hostages in the first stage and maintaining the pressure tools to release the remaining hostages, controlling the Philadelphi corridor, and preventing the passage of terrorists and weapons into the northern part of the Gaza Strip.”
“Those who suggest giving in to Hamas demands to get applause in the studios are harming the chances of releasing the hostages and returning to the reality of October 6.”
Netanyahu accused anyone who proposed agreeing to the demands of the factions’ movement of wanting to receive praise and applause, even though such a decision would harm the chances of releasing the hostages and lead Israel back to the reality of October 6.
The Israeli delegation, headed by Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, returned from Cairo after arriving today to hold talks on the hostage deal due to disagreements with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Earlier, in response to what was published by Hebrew websites about Netanyahu abandoning the Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that “Netanyahu ordered the delegation to leave for Cairo on Saturday or Sunday night.”
Source: Jerusalem Post
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2024-08-05 09:48:43
