Egypt Daily News – The tension between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his negotiating team regarding a potential prisoner exchange deal has been highlighted by recent reports in Israeli media.
During a particularly contentious meeting last Wednesday, leaders from Israel’s security services expressed concerns about Netanyahu’s commitment to the deal, with the head of the Shin Bet suggesting he sensed a lack of interest from the Prime Minister.
The head of Mossad added that delays could jeopardize the opportunity for an agreement, while the representative from the Israeli army indicated that Netanyahu’s demands were obstructing progress.
In this heated atmosphere, Netanyahu described his negotiating team as “weak,” expressing frustration with their handling of the negotiations. Security officials have suggested that Netanyahu might be distancing himself from the idea of such a deal at this point, potentially abandoning detainees.
Despite these tensions, Netanyahu’s office countered the negative portrayals, claiming that the leaks to the media were inaccurate. The office stated that Netanyahu had approved a detailed plan for the hostages’ exchange but accused Hamas of introducing changes that would undermine the agreement.
They maintained that Hamas was seeking to end the conflict while simultaneously bolstering its military capabilities and control over Gaza.
The backdrop to this internal discord includes pressure from the United States. President Joe Biden had a stern conversation with Netanyahu, urging him to de-escalate tensions in the region and to pursue a resolution for the hostages taken by Hamas.
Biden expressed dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s recent decisions, particularly following a previous discussion aimed at securing a hostage deal. While assuring Israel of U.S. military support against Iran, Biden stressed the need for immediate action on the hostage situation.
The situation remains fluid, with the potential prisoner exchange deal stalling amid ongoing tensions and differing expectations from Hamas and the Israeli government.
