Israel – The head of the Israeli Mossad, David Barnea, confirmed that the opportunity to reach a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian faction movement exists, stressing that this requires flexibility in Tel Aviv’s position regarding Hamas’s request for the return of residents to the northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli reports indicated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu categorically opposed this, while both cabinet members, Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, took a position in support of Barnea.
According to the Israeli Channel 12, the head of the Mossad informed the members of the cabinet that despite the response of the factions movement, there is a possibility of progress in the negotiations aimed at reaching a prisoner exchange deal, stressing that the price for this is flexibility in returning the population to northern Gaza.
Barnea explained that it was necessary and possible to think about what the report described as an “innovative solution,” and the head of the Mossad indicated that “this effort deserves the opportunity to extract 40 hostages alive,” held in Gaza, while his opinion was supported by Gantz, Eisenkot, and the Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer.
According to the report, Defense Minister Yoav Galant and Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevy said that this is not the time for flexibility, as “we must advance to Rafah, but without announcing it publicly, to allow another American effort, strengthen negotiations and give an opportunity to reach an agreement.”
While Netanyahu took a very tough stance, refused to accept Barnea’s position, and instructed to prepare to enter Rafah, and said so publicly. Netanyahu also said that the members of the “war cabinet” do not know how to conduct difficult negotiations.
According to Israeli Channel 13, the negotiating team sought to expand the scope of the mandate granted to it further, especially with regard to the issue of the return of residents to the northern Gaza Strip, explaining that Netanyahu rejected the request.
The channel added that Eisenkot spoke angrily, criticizing the government’s behavior and saying: “We need to expand the mandate (granted to the Israeli delegation), as things are not moving.”
While Eisenkot stated that “conditions are ripe for the return of the kidnapped people, and the time has come to do so,” Netanyahu reiterated that “only military pressure will allow the return of the kidnapped ones.”
The channel quoted a high-ranking Israeli official as saying, “Netanyahu has been carrying this slogan for months, and in the meantime, military pressure does not bring the kidnapped people, but they die there.”
Source: Agencies
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2024-03-30 11:47:34