In a recent development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced renewed pressure on Monday (September 2) to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas, despite hundreds of thousands of Israelis staging protests and strikes in the country. President Biden also indirectly criticized Netanyahu, suggesting that he hasn’t done enough after nearly 11 months of conflict.
Following the discovery of six dead hostages, many Israelis expressed anger towards the government. However, Netanyahu, in his first public address after the protests, reiterated his stance on Israel maintaining control over the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip between Gaza and Egypt believed by Israel to be a Hamas weapon smuggling route, a claim denied by Egypt and Hamas.
Netanyahu insisted that control over the corridor is crucial to prevent Hamas from rearming through underground tunnels, stating that this is Hamas’s oxygen. He added, “No one knows more than me how to rescue hostages; no one needs to preach to me on this issue.”
Massive protests erupted Sunday evening, indicating the largest demonstration since the conflict began with Hamas, where demonstrators accused Netanyahu of preventing the hostages’ potential return by not reaching an agreement with Hamas.
On Monday, a rare nationwide strike took place, with thousands of protesters gathering outside Netanyahu’s private residence in the Jerusalem city center, demanding immediate action and carrying coffins adorned with the Israeli flag. Clashes broke out as police attempted to remove the coffins, leading to several arrests.
While some support Netanyahu’s approach in continuing the conflict in Gaza, initiated by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7 last year, resulting in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths in the region, others believe that a negotiated settlement is necessary.
Netanyahu vowed to “thoroughly defeat” Hamas and blamed the failure of negotiations on the militant group. However, key ally the United States has shown impatience, with President Biden stating that Netanyahu’s actions are insufficient during a Situation Room meeting with the U.S. mediation team at the White House.
Hamas accused Israel of introducing new demands, including permanent Israeli control over the Philadelphi Corridor and a second corridor spanning Gaza, thus prolonging the negotiation delays by months.
Netanyahu’s readiness to implement a first-stage ceasefire, including releasing some hostages, partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, and releasing some Palestinian prisoners, was met with reluctance, as he refused to fully withdraw from Gaza, citing concerns about controlling the border.
Internal disagreements were reported between Netanyahu and senior security officials, such as Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who believed it was time for a ceasefire. Netanyahu’s emphasis on border security over hostage rescue led to tensions, with Gallant publicly urging the Security Cabinet to overturn the decision.
Negotiating for Hamas, Khalil al-Hayya highlighted the group’s flexibility in conditions, including reducing demands such as releasing Palestinian prisoners in exchange for captives. However, Israel’s introduction of new conditions hampered progress, fueling the stalemate.
According to Israeli reports, the six deceased hostages were killed by Hamas shortly before Israeli troops reached their holding tunnel. The al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, hinted at a new policy of killing any hostages Israel attempts to rescue, signaling a shift in tactics.
As tensions escalate, with casualties mounting on both sides and negotiations hitting roadblocks, the crisis in Gaza and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to deepen, casting a shadow over the prospect of peace in the region.