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A senior US official has criticized Netanyahu’s comments on the Gaza ceasefire, describing them as “not constructive.”

Netanyahu stated that Israel will demand to retain control of the Philadelphi Corridor, which separates Gaza from Egypt.

US Official Criticizes Netanyahu’s Remarks on Gaza-Egypt Border Control: Implications for Ceasefire Negotiations

A senior US official on Tuesday sharply criticized remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the control of the Gaza-Egypt border, labeling them as “maximalist” and counterproductive to ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. The official, who was traveling with Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the Middle East, spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions.

Netanyahu’s statements came in the context of his insistence on maintaining control over the Philadelphi Corridor, a critical area between Gaza and Egypt that Israeli forces seized from Hamas during the protracted conflict. This position has been described as “not constructive” by the US official, who emphasized that such remarks could hinder efforts to finalize a ceasefire deal.

“Maximalist statements like this are not constructive to getting a ceasefire deal across the finish line,” the senior official asserted. They further expressed concern that such remarks could jeopardize the progress of negotiations at various levels, including implementation, working-level, and technical discussions. The official stressed that public negotiations and statements could complicate the process of reaching a bridging proposal that both parties might agree upon.

Despite Netanyahu’s comments, the US official reiterated that Secretary Blinken remained committed to the ceasefire proposal presented by President Joe Biden on May 31. The proposal aims to address the gaps in the ceasefire discussions and move the process forward. The senior official underscored that Blinken’s public statements in Tel Aviv on Monday affirmed Netanyahu’s agreement to this US-backed proposal.

In his comments to families of victims of recent attacks, Netanyahu had emphasized Israel’s intention to retain control over the Philadelphi Corridor. This stance reflects Israel’s strategic interests and security concerns following more than ten months of conflict. The US official noted, “We saw the prime minister’s comments, especially on some of these items. We’re not going to negotiate in public.”

The official emphasized that many of the “technical” issues related to the ceasefire would need to be resolved in further private discussions. The focus of the United States remains on advancing the ceasefire deal, with Blinken and the US government fully committed to seeing the negotiations through to a successful conclusion.

Gaza

“There will be additional conversations on technical specifics, many of which, of course, are being discussed in the press, which is certainly not helpful to the process,” the official said. This statement reflects the US concern that public commentary on sensitive negotiation points could impede progress and complicate diplomatic efforts.

Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing discussions and the uncertainties surrounding Hamas’s response, the United States is optimistic about the continued advancement of diplomacy. The official indicated that the diplomatic process between Israel and Hamas is expected to move forward this week, although specific meetings or timelines involving direct negotiations have not been confirmed.

The White House had previously indicated that new talks to finalize the ceasefire deal were anticipated later this week in Cairo. This aligns with the ongoing diplomatic efforts, including Blinken’s visit to Doha for talks with Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, following his meetings with leaders in Egypt and Israel.

As the situation evolves, the US remains focused on facilitating a resolution to the conflict, balancing the need for effective negotiations with the challenges posed by public statements and political dynamics. The commitment to advancing the ceasefire and addressing technical specifics underscores the complexity of the diplomatic process and the importance of careful, private negotiations to achieve a lasting resolution.

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