TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Sunday that a delegation would be dispatched to resume negotiations for a potential ceasefire deal with Hamas and discuss the release of captives held in Gaza.
The decision comes amid escalating tensions and international pressure following a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen in response to attacks from regional armed groups. Yemen’s Houthi rebels have pledged a “huge” response to Israel following a deadly airstrike on the port city of Al Hudaydah, as violence sparked by the Israeli offensive in Gaza gripped the region.
According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, the prime minister held “an in-depth discussion” with the Israeli negotiating team and senior security officials before authorizing the dispatch of the delegation.
Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported that Netanyahu met with the negotiating team ahead of his upcoming trip to Washington, where he is scheduled to meet US President Joe Biden on Tuesday and address the US Congress on Wednesday. This visit marks Netanyahu’s first to Washington since forming his current government in December 2022.
Efforts within Israel are reportedly focused on finalizing a response to a proposed hostage deal with Hamas on Sunday, although details remain undisclosed.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have vowed retaliation against Israel following airstrikes on Al Hudaydah port, a crucial lifeline controlled by the Houthis along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Yahya Saree, a spokesperson for the Houthi military, warned that their response to Israeli aggression “is inevitably coming and will be huge.”
In Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen, armed groups have vowed to continue their attacks on Israel until a ceasefire is reached. The ongoing violence has left Gaza devastated, with thousands of Palestinians killed or injured and widespread destruction of infrastructure.
Since October 7 last year, Israel has launched a relentless bombardment campaign in Gaza killing nearly 39,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring over 89,700, according to local health authorities.
In Israel, several demonstrations took place on Saturday, involving families of hostages who urged Netanyahu to secure a deal before his departure to Washington. Criticism has mounted against Netanyahu, with families and a significant portion of the Israeli public holding him responsible for failing to reach an agreement for the return of captives.
Efforts by the US, Qatar, and Egypt to mediate a ceasefire and hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas have faced challenges, including Netanyahu’s reluctance to agree to a demand to halt bombardment in Gaza.
Despite assertions from the United States that a ceasefire deal was nearing completion, Israel has continued its military offensive in Gaza. The Israeli military recently intercepted a missile fired from Yemen amidst ongoing operations in the besieged Palestinian territory.
International condemnation has grown against Israel, with accusations of genocide and calls for an immediate cessation of military operations in Gaza. The International Court of Justice recently ordered Israel to halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where tens of thousands of Palestinians sought refuge before it was invaded on May 6.
