Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately finalize a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. This statement came during his meeting with U.S. officials in Washington on Monday.
After meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Lapid said, “I believe all political interests should be set aside for this. It is far more important.” He emphasized the need for national recovery, stating, “Israel, as a nation, will only heal once we bring them [hostages] home.” He added, “This is crucial for our existence” and insisted that an agreement is achievable.
As a former prime minister, Lapid reiterated his pledge not to seek the removal of Netanyahu’s government, which relies on right-wing members, if Netanyahu moves forward with the ceasefire deal. While labeling Hamas as a “terrible terrorist organization,” Lapid stressed that Netanyahu’s government “must make more effort” to secure an agreement for the release of hostages.
Biden’s Ceasefire Plan
On May 31, U.S. President Joe Biden presented a ceasefire plan that includes a six-month suspension of fighting and the release of hostages. Secretary Blinken previously mentioned that Netanyahu agreed to a new U.S. proposal aimed at “narrowing gaps” to finalize a widely supported deal in Israel.
However, Netanyahu publicly denied American reports indicating that an agreement was close, insisting on Israel’s military control over the Philadelphi Corridor, a contentious area along the Egyptian border. This corridor has become a key sticking point in the ceasefire talks.
U.S. Efforts to Bridge Gaps
Addressing this issue, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that the Philadelphi Corridor and the terms of the hostage release are the main obstacles to reaching an agreement. He stated that the U.S. is “working quickly” on a new proposal to address these gaps.
“We are in contact with our regional partners, specifically Egypt and Qatar, about the content of this proposal,” Miller said. “We aim to present a proposal that can lead both parties to a final agreement.”