SANTA YNEZ, Calif. U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, pushing for a “bridging proposal” that could pave the way for peace, in a critical effort to secure a ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza conflict. Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain, particularly concerning the presence of Israeli troops in key strategic areas within Gaza.
The White House issued a statement emphasizing Biden’s concern over the urgency of finalizing a ceasefire and a deal for hostage releases. The President and Vice President Kamala Harris, currently in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, joined the call to discuss these pressing issues. They highlighted the need for high-level negotiations in Cairo involving the U.S., Israel, Egypt, and Qatar to resolve the “remaining obstacles” to an agreement.
However, the prospects of an immediate deal seem bleak. Biden’s optimism, which he expressed on Friday after discussions with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has waned. By Tuesday, Biden acknowledged that Hamas appeared to be retreating from negotiations but reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to pushing for a ceasefire. “We’re going to keep pushing,” he told reporters at the Democratic convention.
Biden’s call with Netanyahu took place while the President was vacationing with his family at the 8,000-acre estate of medical technology mogul and Democratic donor Joe Kiani in Santa Ynez, California. Their discussion also covered escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as with other militant groups supported by Tehran, including Hezbollah and the Houthis.
The conversation followed Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s meetings in Israel, Egypt, and Qatar earlier this week. Blinken underscored the critical nature of this moment, describing it as “probably the best, maybe the last opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a ceasefire, and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security” during his meetings in Tel Aviv.
Despite these efforts, officials in Egypt expressed skepticism about Hamas agreeing to the bridging proposal. According to an anonymous Egyptian official familiar with the negotiations, the proposal’s first phase requires Hamas to release vulnerable civilian hostages taken during its October 7 attack on Israel, which triggered the war. The subsequent phases would be negotiated without any “guarantees” from Israel or mediators, raising concerns for Hamas.
A major sticking point in the negotiations is the withdrawal of Israeli forces from two strategic corridors in Gaza: the Philadelphi Corridor along Gaza’s border with Egypt and the Netzarim Corridor that cuts across the territory. Hamas demands a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, including the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow 14.5-kilometer stretch on Gaza’s southern border. Netanyahu, however, has reportedly assured right-wing groups of families of fallen soldiers and hostages in Gaza that Israel will not relinquish control of these critical areas.
While Blinken has stated that the bridging proposal is “very clear on the schedule and the locations of [Israeli military] withdrawals from Gaza,” specific details have not yet been disclosed. The uncertainty continues to cast doubt on the immediate success of the negotiations as the U.S. persists in its diplomatic efforts to broker peace.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
