Politics Desk 27 Feb , 2024 11:11 PM GMT
Negotiators caution against Biden's timeline for Gaza-Israel deal.
Disagreements persist over hostage/prisoner exchange and troop withdrawal.
U.S. seeks Israeli commitment to international law on weapon use.
Special Kabbalat Shabbat ceremony for Israeli hostages taken by Hamas
Negotiators working on a hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza and Israel are cautioning against President Biden's optimism that a deal could be reached by next Monday. An Israeli official mentioned that Israel was surprised by Biden's timeline, while a Qatari official highlighted remaining disagreements over the exchange of hostages and prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza during the ceasefire.
President Biden suggested a process towards a two-state solution, which Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has all but rejected. The U.S. is seeking written assurances from Israeli leaders to abide by international law when using U.S.-provided weaponry. Israeli officials expressed concerns about committing to not misuse U.S. weapons and allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza.
If Netanyahu fails to comply with the U.S. demand for written assurances by mid-March, arms shipments from the U.S. to Israel could be suspended. President Biden warned Netanyahu that Israel may lose global support if it continues its current path without a ceasefire deal.
Netanyahu responded with a video message, citing a poll showing American support for Israel over Hamas. He emphasized that the majority of Americans support Israel, attempting to counter Biden's stance. This exchange echoes past disagreements Netanyahu had with previous U.S. presidents.
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