By The United States has called for the immediate finalization of a deal between Israel and Hamas to end the ongoing Gaza conflict. This push comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to make concessions during indirect negotiations with Hamas. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller announced on Tuesday that Washington will work over the coming days with Egypt and Qatar to push for a final agreement.
Netanyahu’s rejection of concessions comes amid rising domestic and international pressure, particularly following the recovery of six Israeli prisoners who were killed in Gaza. Despite this pressure, Netanyahu has stood firm, stating that he will not yield to demands and that achieving the war’s objectives requires controlling the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border to prevent Hamas from rearming.
In a related development, the U.S. has unsealed a series of charges against six Hamas leaders, including Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar and his predecessor Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in July in an attack attributed to Israel. The charges are linked to Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which triggered the current conflict.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk has called for an independent and transparent investigation into reports suggesting that the six recovered captives were executed. Meanwhile, Israeli public outrage has grown, with many Israelis protesting and demanding action regarding the hostages’ fate.
In response to Netanyahu’s stance, Egypt has dismissed accusations that its Gaza border is being used to arm Hamas, labeling them as an attempt to divert Israeli public opinion and hinder ceasefire efforts. Saudi Arabia has also condemned the Israeli statements about the Philadelphi Corridor.
U.S. President Joe Biden, while meeting with negotiators, expressed skepticism about Netanyahu’s commitment to securing a hostage deal. Analysts suggest that Netanyahu’s insistence on controlling Gaza indicates a desire for long-term occupation.
