U.S. Officials Privately Admit Biden Unable to Achieve Gaza Ceasefire
In a candid acknowledgment of the complex and fraught nature of Middle Eastern geopolitics, multiple senior U.S. officials have privately conceded that President Joe Biden is unlikely to secure a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza before the end of his term. The revelation was reported by The Wall Street Journal on September 19, 2024, highlighting the pessimism prevailing within the ranks of the White House, the State Department, and the Pentagon.
The officials’ pessimism stems from two primary concerns: Hamas’s uncompromising stance and the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s perceived obstructionism. According to sources, Hamas is demanding the release of a significant number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel as a condition for the return of detained Israeli citizens. This has become a major sticking point, further complicated by recent events, including the discovery of the bodies of six detained Israelis in Gaza and a series of explosions targeting Hezbollah’s communication equipment in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s approach has come under criticism, with some accusing him of undermining peace efforts to appease the hard-right elements within his government. This has led to an atmosphere of gloom both within the U.S. administration and among Middle Eastern allies. Compounding the situation, Israeli air raids on Hezbollah facilities in southern Lebanon on September 19 have effectively extinguished any remaining hope of progress until after the U.S. election, with the outcome of the election poised to influence what might be possible under the next administration.
Despite the pessimism, the U.S. government remains committed to pursuing a resolution, viewing a ceasefire as the only path to ending the ongoing conflict. Secretary of State Antony Blinken claimed on September 5 that 90% of a proposed ceasefire agreement had been accepted by both Israel and Hamas. However, Netanyahu refuted Blinken’s assertion, declaring that a ceasefire agreement was not close to being reached.
In a new development, Israel presented a proposal to the U.S. administration, suggesting it would end its military operations in Gaza and release some Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of all detained Israelis. As part of this deal, Hamas’s political leader Yahya Sinwar would have to leave Gaza, and the territory would undergo demilitarization, with an alternative governing body being established. However, Hamas swiftly rejected the proposal, with political bureau member Ghazi Hamad calling it absurd and indicative of failed negotiations. Hamas official Jihad Taha informed Al Arabiya that the group would not consider any agreement other than one based on President Biden’s proposal and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, which Israel has rejected over the issue of maintaining military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor in Gaza.
As the situation stands, the prospects for a ceasefire appear more remote than ever, with the parties seemingly entrenched in their positions and a lack of political will from both sides to make the necessary concessions. The U.S. administration, while maintaining its commitment to finding a resolution, appears resigned to the fact that such an agreement may elude President Biden’s grasp before his term ends. The ongoing deadlock has significant consequences for the region, with the potential for further escalation and violence remaining a constant concern for all parties involved.
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