Report: Israeli Officials Think Netanyahu Remarks Could Sabotage Ceasefire Deal

Israeli officials are worried that recent comments from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could sabotage the chances of the Gaza ceasefire proposal put forward by President Biden, Axios reported on Monday.

The Israeli officials said there was “constructive ambiguity” in the proposal that could allow Israel and Hamas to enter the first phase of the deal, which involves a six-week truce and initial hostage and prisoner exchange, without Israel committing to a permanent ceasefire.

A permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza has been Hamas’s main demand for a hostage deal. But since Biden outlined the potential agreement, Netanyahu and his close aides have said Israel would not agree to a permanent ceasefire until it achieves its goals, which include “destroying” Hamas’s capabilities.