A photo from 25 July shows President Biden with Prime Minister Netanyahu in the Oval Office. The Biden administration believes that a ceasefire would help calm the region. Earlier this week, on live television, the mother of an Israeli hostage in Gaza made an offer to the Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar: release all 109 hostages in exchange for the children of Israel’s security chiefs. However, she was not advocating for a ceasefire but for a stronger fight against Hamas.
Ms. Or, along with other pro-war hostage families, are supporting Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is facing pressure from various sources to be more flexible and reach a deal. Leaked reports suggest that there are growing differences between Mr. Netanyahu and his negotiators and defense chiefs.
Negotiations in Cairo this week have been challenging, with Mr. Netanyahu standing firm on keeping an Israeli military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor. Hamas insists on the withdrawal of Israeli forces. The US is pushing for a deal to prevent further escalation in the region.
Despite domestic political incentives to delay negotiations, Mr. Netanyahu is gaining popularity in recent polls. The next talks are scheduled for Sunday, but hopes for a deal are diminishing. Ella Ben Ami, the daughter of another Israeli hostage, asked Mr. Netanyahu to promise to do everything possible for their return after meeting with him. Reuters
Ella fue dejada, dijo, con “un sentimiento pesado y difícil de que esto no va a suceder pronto”.
El reloj está corriendo en estas negociaciones: para la gente de Gaza, para los rehenes israelíes aún retenidos allí en los túneles, para la región en su totalidad.
Pero para el Sr. Sinwar y el Sr. Netanyahu, tal vez la arma más poderosa que tienen en esta guerra es el tiempo.