Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked US President Joe Biden not to believe the Israeli press, which he said had "falsely" accused him of not being interested in a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, according to political sources in Tel Aviv.
The Hebrew website Walla reported that Netanyahu confirmed during his call with Biden that he was interested in reaching an agreement but aimed for a reasonable deal that his cabinet could approve.
- Obstructing the Rafah operation
Walla's political reporter Barak Ravid said he relies on several Israeli and US officials for his sources and stressed that Biden seemed affected by the accusations against Netanyahu.
According to Ravid, Biden asked the Israeli PM to send a delegation to Cairo with serious efforts to ensure the success of the negotiations.
According to the report, Netanyahu responded that contrary to reports and interpretations in the Israeli media, he was very serious to make a deal, citing his willingness to release a Palestinian prisoner for every Israeli taken captive by Hamas.
The Israeli PM also suggested a one-day ceasefire for every single captive released, unlike the previous deal.
The prime minister emphasized to the president that he was ready to strike a hostage deal, even if that meant stopping the Israeli army’s operations, especially plans to enter Rafah in the Gaza Strip.
Biden said that Hamas' demands were exaggerated.
- Israeli dispute
As for the negotiations, Israeli media reports stated that there are sharp disagreements within Israel, which are favoring war over a hostage deal.
Despite Netanyahu's statements to Biden and the families of Israeli detainees, he rejected a new draft presented to him a few hours before the Israeli delegation headed to Cairo for the talks.
The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan 11) reported that the Mossad, the Shin Bet, and the Israeli army have developed a new proposal regarding a prisoner exchange deal.
However, Netanyahu, Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, and Defense Minister Yoav Galant rejected it.
Kan 11 pointed out that the new proposal was prepared by the head of Mossad, David Barnea, the head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar, and Maj-Gen reservist Nitzan Alon, commanding intelligence efforts to find the detainees.
The report stated that the proposal was brought "several times" for discussion with Netanyahu, the last of which was hours before the Israeli delegation headed to Cairo.
Kan 11 quoted a source that it said was familiar with the negotiations, saying that the new proposal includes several changes with a certain degree of flexibility, which paves the way for a breakthrough in the talks. The source refused to give further details.
The report stressed that Netanyahu refused the proposal and categorically rejected its presentation in the Cairo talks. He instructed the delegation to only "listen" during its participation in the negotiations.
Alon refused to go to Cairo after Netanyahu rejected the draft, and instead, the PM sent his military advisor.
Channel 13 reported "dramatic disagreements" in Israel regarding the new proposal.
