Israel discontented with US approach to hostage deal negotiations

WORLD  07 May 2024 - 14:00

Israeli officials claim that the Biden administration was aware of the new offer in the hostage negotiations beforehand but did not inform Israel before Hamas announced its acceptance on May 6.

According to Detaly.co.il, a senior US official refuted the allegations, stating that senior US administration officials maintained close contact with their Israeli counterparts on the matter. "There were no surprises," he remarked.

Recent developments have left Israel discontented and frustrated with the US approach to negotiating the hostage deal. This could exacerbate tensions between Israel and the US and impact future efforts to secure the release of the abductees.

A US official described the negotiation process as highly complex, conducted through intermediaries in Cairo and Doha.

Two Israeli officials expressed significant suspicion in Jerusalem regarding the possibility that the Biden administration may have provided assurances to Hamas through Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries regarding an end to the war as part of the hostage deal.

The US official emphasized that the US had not guaranteed Hamas an end to the conflict but reiterated that the Biden administration's objective was to extend the ceasefire established by the deal beyond six weeks.

Caliber.Az