Harris On Gaza Ceasefire: We Are Not Giving Up; We Gotta Get Those Hostages Out

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On Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized that Washington remains committed to pursuing both a ceasefire in Gaza and a deal for releasing hostages. When asked by a reporter during a campaign event in Pennsylvania whether she believes Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is prepared to agree to such a deal, Harris responded, “I will not speak for him, but I will tell you that these conversations are ongoing, and we are not giving up.” She further stated, “We are going to continue to work very hard on this. We gotta get a ceasefire, and we gotta get those hostages out.”

These remarks followed a statement from US President Joe Biden, who earlier that day expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement on a ceasefire and hostage release. Biden assured reporters that discussions are still active, affirming, “we’re not giving up,” and indicated that an agreement “is still possible.”

However, Hamas officially rejected the proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release that was put forth at the summit in Doha, Qatar. The organization criticized the proposal for aligning with Netanyahu’s demands, including his refusal for a permanent ceasefire and a full withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas also objected to new conditions regarding prisoner exchanges and further Israeli military positions, asserting, “The proposal completely meets Netanyahu’s conditions and especially his refusal to a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and his insistence on continuing to occupy the Netzarim axis, the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor. It also adds new conditions regarding the exchange of prisoners, and a withdrawal of the Israeli position in other sections, which prevents the success of the deal.”

Additionally, Hamas accused Netanyahu of being responsible for the failed mediation efforts and the situation of the hostages, claiming, “Hamas places full responsibility on Netanyahu for the failure of the efforts of the mediators, and the failure to reach an agreement, as well as the full responsibility for the lives of the hostages, who face the same dangers that the Palestinians face due to the war.”

Hamas demanded a full withdrawal of the IDF from the Philadelphi Corridor and a minimal release of living hostages. This came after a new round of discussions in Qatar. On Saturday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office expressed “cautious optimism” about the ongoing negotiations with Hamas. The Prime Minister’s Office noted, “The hostage negotiation team updated the Prime Minister today on the status of the talks that took place in Doha.” They added, “The team expressed to the Prime Minister cautious optimism regarding the possibility of progress on the deal, in accordance with the updated American proposal (based on the May 27th framework), including components acceptable to Israel.”

The statement also reflected hope that the pressure applied by the United States and mediators would encourage Hamas to reconsider the American proposal and potentially advance the negotiations.

At the start of Sunday’s Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu urged increased pressure on Hamas to reach a deal. He remarked, “Once again, I would like to emphasize: Up until now, Hamas has been completely obstinate. It did not even send a representative to the talks in Doha. Therefore, the pressure needs to be directed at Hamas and Sinwar, not the Government of Israel. Strong military and diplomatic pressure are the way to secure the release of our hostages,” said Netanyahu.

{Matzav.com}

3 COMMENTS

  1. The flaw in this entire concept is that negotiations and agreements will not result in anything positive. Muslims consider lying and failing to keep commitments a virtue. So they can be muscled into making deals. Find a single agreement they made that was followed.

    Hamas will not agree to lose their only bargaining chip – the hostages. There is only one way to get them out. Force. Aid, prisoner releases, and all the other ideas are only good on paper, to be signed by those that will never abide by their commitments anyway.

    Israel needs to take the prisoners, from the most notorious terrorists and down the ranks. Every day without hostages released unconditionally should result in one of them being returned in pieces. Terrorists should have been given immediate death penalties regardless. Here’s a way to get the hostages – brute force. Stop the blabbering about ceasefires and other concessions.

  2. Madam Harris have you not heard yet that many hostages have died in captivity? Have you not heard Hamas does not know how many are still alive and where they are? Do you think that you have endless time to work out a hostage deal?

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