JERUSALEM — President Joe Biden’s description of Israel’s ceasefire proposal was “not accurate,” a senior Israeli official told NBC News, as doubts grew Monday about the U.S. ally’s stance on the agreement.
Biden said in a surprise announcement Friday that he was outlining a truce proposal made by Israel and passed through mediators to Hamas.
But with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing competing pressures – from Washington and hostage families, on the one hand, and right-wing ministers threatening to overthrow his government, on the other – a senior Israeli official questioned Biden’s description. of the ceasefire offer.
The official specifically disputed that Israel had agreed to fully withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip as part of a deal to release the hostages.
“Israel has not changed its conditions to achieve a permanent ceasefire. This will only happen after our objectives are achieved, including the destruction of Hamas’ military and government capabilities,” the official said.
The official also said that although the White House described the plan as originating with Israel, it was actually a proposal presented by mediators to which Israel had made amendments and changes.
“It is strange that they say it is an Israeli proposal and at the same time that Israel needs to agree to it,” the official said. The official added that Israel was awaiting Hamas’ formal response to the proposal.
A US official pushed back on Monday, telling NBC News that Biden had outlined the proposal Israel had offered, but also acknowledged the pressure Netanyahu would face from far-right officials and therefore urged the Israeli government not to back off.
Biden said on Friday that the proposal was sent to the militant group via Qatar, which helped mediate the negotiations for months.
A Hamas spokesperson said the group “views positively” what was included in Biden’s speech. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry reaffirmed on Monday that Hamas viewed the proposal positively and said everyone was waiting for Israel’s response.
Biden said Israel presented the “comprehensive new proposal” that would ultimately lead to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
The three-part plan, Biden said, would include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza and the release of several hostages held inside the enclave since the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7. The first phase of the plan would also see a full six-week truce.
‘You can’t count your hostages until they get home’
Biden’s speech put Netanyahu under renewed pressure at home and abroad.
Two of his right-wing ministers threatened to withdraw from the coalition that keeps him in power if he agrees to the ceasefire agreement outlined by Biden. Israeli media reported Monday that Netanyahu would meet with his hardline national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, about his threats to abandon the government.
At the same time, families of Israeli hostages intensified their demands that the government reach a deal that could guarantee the release of their loved ones.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh has been detained in Gaza since October 7, said on Monday that the proposal presented by Biden left her hopeful but still cautious.
“You can’t count your hostages until they get home and hug them,” she told NBC News in an interview in Jerusalem, adding, “I would love to think this is the beginning of the end.”
Goldberg-Polin criticized Israeli government officials who say it is more important to continue the war than to bring the remaining hostages home. “If you believe in justice to continue this, let’s stop for five hours, take this 125, and you, put your son, daughter, mother, brother, sister, grandfather, baby there and continue your war with your people there”, she said. “Our people served time in hell for nine months.”
This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com read the full story
