CIA director on ‘Middle East trip’ meets Netanyahu in Israel to discuss ceasefire… Hamas insists on accepting ‘permanent ceasefire’ Biden says, “Israel will stop providing weapons once it enters Rafah “
As the United States suspended support for offensive weapons and pressured Israel to stop the Rafah operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 8th (local time), Prime Minister Netanyahu met with CIA Director William Burns in Israel this afternoon.
It is understood that Prime Minister Netanyahu and Director Burns discussed the ongoing ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas in Cairo, Egypt. Director Burns is on a tour of the Middle East to release hostages and complete ceasefire negotiations.
The Israeli delegation arrived in Egypt the day before to resume negotiations with Hamas.
The key issue in the talks, on which the views of both sides are sharply divided, is the interpretation of the phrase ‘sustainable calm’ which appears in every ceasefire plan approved by Hamas and Israel.
In the proposal received by Hamas, this phrase is clearly defined as a permanent end to the war and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has consistently opposed any deal that specifically calls for a permanent ceasefire, saying he will not stop fighting in Gaza until Hamas is destroyed and hostages are freed .
Prime Minister Netanyahu said the day before that Hamas’s truce plan was “very far from Israel’s core demands” and that “military pressure on Hamas is a necessary condition to secure the release of hostages.”
As pressure for a cease-fire continued from the United States and other allies, a delegation of mid-level officials was sent to the negotiating room, but made clear, “We are still at war with Hamas.”
Arbitrating countries are hopeful that differences of opinion can be narrowed. John Kirby, the White House’s national security communications adviser, said the day before, “The negotiations are at a sensitive stage, and there should be no reason why the remaining gaps cannot be overcome.”
The Israeli army entered Rafah on the night of the 6th and took control of Palestinian territory at the intersection of Rafah and eastern Rafah. They are said to be currently located in a large mall heading towards the center of Rafa and waiting for the ‘taste in advance’.
Israel’s progress on Rafah is being analyzed as a card to put pressure on Hamas in negotiations. The Israeli military believes Hamas leaders are hiding in Rafah, Gaza’s last city.
However, as the United States, Israel’s biggest supporter, opposes an all-out attack on Rafah out of concern for civilian casualties, it is unclear whether Israel will actually launch an attack.
Last week, the United States intercepted shipments of ammunition that were supposed to be sent to Israel. In an interview with CNN released on the 8th, President Biden expressed concern about the possibility of misuse of ammunition to kill civilians, and strongly emphasized that he would stop supporting offensive weapons if the Israeli army entered Rafah.
Hamas intends to remain unchanged from its current position. Hamas politburo member, Izzat Alishik, said in a statement that the group stands firm on the negotiation proposal and that they maintain the proposal it had previously accepted.
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