JERUSALEM: On Sunday, an aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel’s acceptance of President Biden’s Gaza war framework. However, he criticized it as flawed and requiring further refinement.
Ophir Falk, chief foreign policy adviser to Netanyahu, described Biden’s proposal as one Israel agreed to. However, he criticized it as not being favorable.
“There are a lot of details to be worked out,” he said, adding that Israeli conditions, including “the release of the hostages and the destruction of Hamas as a genocidal terrorist organization” have not changed.
Israel battled and bombarded Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Sunday as mediators called on both sides to agree to a truce and hostage release deal outlined by Biden.
Biden, whose initial lockstep support for Israel’s offensive has given way to open censure of the operation’s high civilian death toll, on Friday aired what he described as a three-phase plan submitted by the Netanyahu government to end the war.
The first phase entails a truce and the return of some hostages held by Hamas, after which the sides would negotiate on an open-ended cessation of hostilities for a second phase in which remaining live captives would go free, Biden said.
Moreover, the Biden Gaza plan offers a framework for constructive engagement. Additionally, Israel’s acceptance underscores the importance of diplomacy in resolving conflict.
Furthermore, the aide’s remarks highlight the complexities of regional diplomacy.
Consequently, Israel’s acceptance of the plan reflects a pragmatic approach to conflict resolution.
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