Israel says it's 'not a good deal' with Biden's Gaza offer, according to Netanyahu's assistant



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's aide announced that Israel has accepted a US-proposed framework to end the Gaza war, despite Netanyahu's reservations about the deal. The aide, Ophir Falk, stated in an interview with The Sunday Times that while the deal is "not a good deal," Israel is keen on securing the release of all hostages.

According to Falk, many details still need to be finalized, particularly concerning the release of hostages and the dismantling of Hamas, which Israel considers a genocidal terrorist organization.

US President Joe Biden outlined the proposal on May 31, which includes an initial six-week ceasefire, a partial Israeli military withdrawal, and the release of some hostages. The plan aims for a permanent cessation of hostilities and envisions a future in Gaza without Hamas in power. The negotiations are being mediated through intermediaries.

Facing increasing pressure after Biden's proposal, Netanyahu's government must navigate the three-phase plan. The first phase involves a complete ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated Gaza areas. During this phase, Hamas is expected to release hostages, including women, the elderly, and the wounded, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

In the second phase, all remaining hostages, including male soldiers, would be released, and Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza. The third phase proposes a major reconstruction effort for Gaza, which has been heavily damaged by the conflict.