US Secty of State Anthony Blinken characterized the latest offer by Israel to arrive at an exchange deal with Hamas as “extraordinarily generous.” What Israel did is reduce the number of hostages it would expect to receive from the total of 133 to ca. 33 consisting of only women, children, elderly and injured. In exchange it would accept an increased ceasefire of 40 days instead of 30, and would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including 100 with blood on their hands. Blinken stated that it is only Hamas that is preventing a ceasefire and it must accept these terms. At the same time a consortium of 18 countries, some of whom have citizens detained in Gaza, issued a joint statement that Hamas must accept a deal for a ceasefire.
As the delegations are meeting in Cairo, Hamas issued a statement that it finds the deal proposed by Israel generally acceptable. But, so far no deal has been agreed. It should be obvious to all concerned, including the hostage families that are constantly putting pressure on the Israeli Government, that it is doing its utmost to make a deal. But, Israel cannot and will not agree to a permanent ceasefire at this stage. The Israeli government still intends to carry out a military campaign in Rafah to destroy the last stronghold of Hamas after the terrible atrocities they committed against unarmed Israeli civilians on Oct 7, and threatened to do so again and again. This must not be forgotten! A large majority of the Israeli public supports this action.
Israel has also made the acceptance of the deal by Hamas as a condition for not attacking Rafah now, even though the IDF has issued orders that they are ready to act and continue their assault in Gaza. Of course, there is NO “genocide” of Palestinian people in Gaza as claimed by enemies of Israel and various anti-Semitic groups. And Israel has issued a 4 point plan to remove ca. 1 million civilians from the Rafah area to safe zones and has purchased 40,000 tents that are being placed in these areas. But everything now depends on Hamas accepting the generous offer. If they do not then Israel will launch its delayed assault on Rafah. The choice is in their hands.
IsBlog 