US reportedly giving Israel private lectures – media
US officials have reportedly criticized the Israeli prime minister’s “maximalist statements” during the ongoing negotiations with Hamas. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hardline statements have reportedly drawn criticism from diplomats in Washington and within Israel.
US officials are concerned that Netanyahu's “maximalist statements” are obstructing ceasefire discussions regarding the conflict in Gaza, according to multiple media reports. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently concluded a tour of the Middle East as part of the US's efforts for a ceasefire and a hostage agreement in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
This reported criticism arises alongside assertions that Netanyahu has maintained a firm stance on the continued presence of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza.
During a three-hour meeting with Netanyahu in West Jerusalem on Monday, Blinken announced to the press that the Israeli leader had accepted a “bridging proposal” aimed at facilitating progress towards a full ceasefire. However, Hamas did not participate in these negotiations, citing the absence of a clear plan, and had turned down a US ceasefire suggestion the day prior.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu told families of Israeli captives in Gaza that he was unwilling to withdraw IDF forces from the Netzarim Corridor or the Philadelphi Corridor. The Philadelphi Corridor, which runs along the Gaza-Egypt border, is critical as Israel claims it is used by Hamas to smuggle weapons into the region and serves as a major route for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
A US official traveling with Blinken expressed criticism of Netanyahu's remarks, stating, “maximalist statements like this are not constructive to getting a ceasefire deal across the finish line and they certainly risk the ability of implementing level, working level and technical talks,” as reported by the BBC and ArabNews.
Similarly, an unnamed member of Israel’s negotiating team accused Netanyahu of undermining the discussions. The official argued that the prime minister’s statement “is intended to blow up the negotiations, there’s no other way about it,” asserting that during a crucial phase of negotiations concerning the Philadelphi and Netzarim Corridors, Netanyahu was aware of the progress but chose to make statements contrary to what had been agreed upon with mediators.
Netanyahu is facing rising pressure from the US and domestic protesters to negotiate a hostage deal and a ceasefire with Hamas. Of the 251 individuals taken hostage by the militant group during its October 7 attacks on Israel, approximately 105 remain in Gaza, including the remains of 34 confirmed dead by the IDF, as reported by the Times of Israel. The attacks also resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, with the ongoing IDF operations in Gaza causing over 40,000 Palestinian casualties to date, according to local health authorities.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
US officials are concerned that Netanyahu's “maximalist statements” are obstructing ceasefire discussions regarding the conflict in Gaza, according to multiple media reports. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently concluded a tour of the Middle East as part of the US's efforts for a ceasefire and a hostage agreement in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
This reported criticism arises alongside assertions that Netanyahu has maintained a firm stance on the continued presence of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza.
During a three-hour meeting with Netanyahu in West Jerusalem on Monday, Blinken announced to the press that the Israeli leader had accepted a “bridging proposal” aimed at facilitating progress towards a full ceasefire. However, Hamas did not participate in these negotiations, citing the absence of a clear plan, and had turned down a US ceasefire suggestion the day prior.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu told families of Israeli captives in Gaza that he was unwilling to withdraw IDF forces from the Netzarim Corridor or the Philadelphi Corridor. The Philadelphi Corridor, which runs along the Gaza-Egypt border, is critical as Israel claims it is used by Hamas to smuggle weapons into the region and serves as a major route for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
A US official traveling with Blinken expressed criticism of Netanyahu's remarks, stating, “maximalist statements like this are not constructive to getting a ceasefire deal across the finish line and they certainly risk the ability of implementing level, working level and technical talks,” as reported by the BBC and ArabNews.
Similarly, an unnamed member of Israel’s negotiating team accused Netanyahu of undermining the discussions. The official argued that the prime minister’s statement “is intended to blow up the negotiations, there’s no other way about it,” asserting that during a crucial phase of negotiations concerning the Philadelphi and Netzarim Corridors, Netanyahu was aware of the progress but chose to make statements contrary to what had been agreed upon with mediators.
Netanyahu is facing rising pressure from the US and domestic protesters to negotiate a hostage deal and a ceasefire with Hamas. Of the 251 individuals taken hostage by the militant group during its October 7 attacks on Israel, approximately 105 remain in Gaza, including the remains of 34 confirmed dead by the IDF, as reported by the Times of Israel. The attacks also resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, with the ongoing IDF operations in Gaza causing over 40,000 Palestinian casualties to date, according to local health authorities.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
