Hamas's top negotiator urged the US to put real pressure on Israel for a Gaza ceasefire deal, as he accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of turning away from a ceasefire in the blockaded Palestinian enclave, while hostage families called on Washington to bypass Israel and deal directly with Hamas.
“If the US administration and its president (Joe) Biden really want to reach a ceasefire and complete a prisoner exchange agreement, they must abandon their blind bias against the Zionist occupation and put real pressure on Netanyahu and his government,” Qatar said. based Khalil al-Hayya said, according to a statement from Hamas.
The families of the hostages are pushing the White House to bypass Israel, make a deal directly with Hamas
Families of American hostages held by Hamas have pressed the White House to seriously consider bypassing Israel and striking a unilateral deal with Hamas for their release, according to US media.
Discussions about that option are currently underway within the Biden administration, as reported by NBC television, citing five unnamed sources familiar with the matter.
The administration is considering options that exclude Israel, according to sources.
Officials told the families they are committed to exploring “all options,” but suggested a deal involving both Hamas and Israel remains the best approach.
The renewed push for a deal, even one that bypasses Israel, comes after the body of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American hostage, was recovered last week in Gaza.
Talk of a one-sided deal has also emerged as family members and some administration officials increasingly doubt that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will agree to a Gaza ceasefire in exchange for the release of the hostages, according to sources familiar with the talks.
Many analysts and international observers, as well as critics in Israel, believe that Netanyahu has no desire or intention to end the war, but instead wants to continue it in the interest of his political survival.
But with the United States continuing to be Israel's biggest supporter in the war, it seems unclear how the White House would negotiate directly with Hamas without at least curtailing support for Tel Aviv.
Months of peace efforts, halted by Netanyahu
For months, the United States, Qatar and Egypt have been trying to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas to secure a prisoner exchange and cease-fire and allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. But mediation efforts have stalled because of Netanyahu's refusal to meet Hamas' demands to end the war.
Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since a Hamas attack on October 7 despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.
More than 40,800 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have since been killed and over 94,000 others injured, according to local health authorities.
An ongoing blockade of the enclave has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine, leaving large parts of the region in ruins.
Israel is facing charges of genocide for its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice.
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