Praneet Thakar
President Joe Biden engaged in a critical conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, focusing on the ongoing ceasefire and hostage release negotiations in Gaza. Vice President Kamala Harris also participated in the call, which occurred while Biden was on vacation in Santa Ynez, California.
This discussion took place during a pivotal moment in the negotiations, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscoring that this may be the final opportunity to reach a deal.
A key point of contention in the ceasefire talks is the future of the Philadelphi corridor, a strategically significant strip of land along the Gaza-Egypt border. Israeli media reported that Netanyahu had agreed to withdraw Israeli troops from this area as part of a proposed deal.
However, Netanyahu’s office swiftly refuted these reports, asserting that Israel has no intention of leaving the corridor, a move that contradicts earlier comments by Blinken suggesting that Israel had consented to troop withdrawals.
As the US continued its diplomatic efforts, Blinken emphasized the urgency of reaching an agreement that would end the hostilities in Gaza and ensure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The US has proposed a “bridging proposal” aimed at resolving the remaining disputes, but Netanyahu’s refusal to commit to withdrawing from the Philadelphi corridor has complicated the negotiations. A senior US official criticized Netanyahu’s hardline stance, calling it unhelpful to the ceasefire efforts.
In parallel with diplomatic initiatives, the US has significantly increased its military presence in the Middle East. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group arrived in the region on Wednesday, bolstering US forces amid concerns of a potential Iranian attack.
This deployment follows the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which has raised fears of retaliatory actions by Iran against Israel.
The arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln marks a strategic rotation, as it replaces the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group, which is scheduled to return to the US soon. The US has also deployed additional naval assets, including the USS Wasp Amphibious Ready Group and the USS Georgia, a guided missile submarine, to the region. This increased military readiness reflects the US’s caution in response to the heightened tensions and the possibility of an Iranian response.
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