The United States has called for a final agreement to end the Gaza war, with the State Department saying it is “time to finalise that deal.”
This comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected concessions in indirect negotiations with Hamas.
Netanyahu has refused to bow to pressure, despite growing domestic and international pressure following the recovery of six killed hostages from Gaza. He stated that he would “not give in to pressure” and that the achievement of the war’s objectives requires control of the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border.
The US has unsealed charges against six Hamas leaders, including chief Yahya Sinwar and his predecessor Ismail Haniyeh, related to the group’s October 7 attack on Israel, which sparked the war in Gaza.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk has called for an independent investigation into reports that the six captives recovered dead from Gaza had been summarily executed.
Despite increasing grief and fury among Israelis, Netanyahu has maintained his stance. Tel Aviv protester Jonathan Edan said, “The only thing he wants to survive is his political career and his coalition.”
Egypt has rejected accusations that its Gaza border is being used to arm Hamas, while Saudi Arabia has expressed its “strong condemnation and denunciation” of Netanyahu’s statements regarding the Philadelphi Corridor.
US President Joe Biden has expressed doubts about Netanyahu’s efforts to secure a hostage deal, saying “no” when asked if he thought the Israeli prime minister was doing enough.
Hamas has long demanded a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and Egyptian officials have objected to an Israeli military presence on the border.
Analyst Mairav Zonszein said Netanyahu “wants to occupy Gaza on some level indefinitely” and is now “just saying it more openly.”
Britain has suspended some arms exports to Israel, citing a “clear risk” they could be used in a serious breach of international
