Deadline Ticking: US Pushes for Israeli Ground Incursion Delay to Bolster Hostage Negotiations
Biden administration urges Israel to postpone Gaza invasion for hostage negotiations and humanitarian aid, aiming for a peaceful resolution Sources reveal discussions focused on securing captives and facilitating aid delivery
According to informed sources, the Biden administration has urged Israel to postpone its upcoming offensive in Gaza in order to facilitate the release of additional hostages being held by Hamas, as well as to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The recent release of two American captives, who were held by Hamas, is seen as a positive sign that more of the estimated 200 individuals abducted during the group's recent lethal assaults on Israel may soon be set free.
According to an unidentified source familiar with the discussions, the Israeli leadership was urged by the administration to postpone due to advancements in the hostage situation and the urgency of delivering aid trucks to Gaza. The NSC did not provide an immediate response for comment.
Senior Israeli officials have denied reports claiming that the US is requesting a postponement of its ground incursion into Gaza. They affirmed that there is an ongoing open dialogue and consultation with the US administration, emphasizing that there is no pressure from the US to delay the operation. President Joe Biden, asked about his stance on encouraging Israel to delay the invasion, simply stated that he is currently in communication with Israeli authorities.
Qatar, acting as an intermediary between the US, Israel, and Hamas, has been spearheading negotiations regarding the release of the hostages who were abducted by the militant group. Discussions have also revolved around the provision of essential aid to Gaza and the necessity for a temporary ceasefire to facilitate the release of the prisoners. However, Israel has not expressed any inclination towards implementing a ceasefire. Regrettably, Hamas seems to have gained no tangible benefits from the recent release of Americans Judith Tai Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter, Natalie Raanan.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his optimism about the release of more hostages during his appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday. However, he emphasized the urgency of their release, stating that they should be released immediately and without any conditions.
Blinken also acknowledged that the reasons behind Hamas choosing to release Natalie and Judith first are unknown. He cautiously used the term "first" to imply his anticipation for the release of more hostages.
On Saturday, Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced their readiness to release two individuals who were reported as "detained." These individuals were identified by name in their statement. The press release also mentioned that the same procedures used for the release of the Raanans would be followed for this proposed release.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Office responded to this claim on Saturday evening. They refused to comment on what they referred to as "false Hamas propaganda." Furthermore, Israel's government assured that they will persist in taking all necessary actions to bring back all the captives and missing individuals to their homes.
A spokesperson from the Israeli Prime Minister's office informed CNN on Friday that the release of the Americans could potentially be seen as a tactic employed by Hamas to minimize the expected response from the Israeli military. The official underscored that the release does not alleviate the pressure on Hamas, as their ultimate objective remains the dismantling of the organization.
