Chicago – June 24, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he might agree to a “partial” deal to bring back some captives held in Gaza, even if not all of them. However, he made it clear he would not accept any deal that requires ending Israel’s war on Gaza. This comes after the United States claimed an Israeli proposal could lead to stopping the fighting. “The goal is to bring back the kidnapped and remove the Hamas regime in Gaza,” Netanyahu stated in an interview with Israeli media outlet Channel 14 on Sunday.
Many Israelis have been protesting against Netanyahu and his government, asking for early elections and a deal to return the captives. Last month, US President Joe Biden suggested a ceasefire, which would include a six-week pause in fighting, the release of some Israeli captives in Gaza, and Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. This would pave the way for talks on a permanent ceasefire.
Despite US claims that Israel created the proposal, Netanyahu and other Israeli officials have promised to keep fighting until Hamas is defeated and have not fully supported the proposal publicly.
