Last Updated on 09/09/2024 by Arun jain
Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a split with Mossad and the IDF over hostage negotiations as senior government figures openly argue over ending the war in Gaza.
Disagreements between the security services and the Prime Minister’s Office over the signing of a ceasefire deal have escalated in recent weeks and have begun to leak to the public through a campaign of toxic briefings.
It comes as ministers clash at key security meetings, with reports of fists and matches on the table over the terms of a deal that could free some of the remaining hostages.
The split at the top of the government has intensified since last Saturday Six hostages killed in the Gaza tunnel that led to mass protests and general strikes to stop the war and sign a cease-fire agreement.
The hostage negotiation team, led by Mossad director David Barnea and the head of Shin Bet security services, Ronen Barr, wants to strike a compromise deal with Hamas to end the war but is frustrated by Mr Netanyahu.
“It is clear that both the negotiating team and the government are frustrated with each other,” an Israeli source with knowledge of the ceasefire talks told The Telegraph.
“Books will be written” about the negotiations, the source added, and about the general “distrust” in everyone involved.
With the October 7 anniversary approaching and widespread unrest, the army seems to have taken the position that intelligence chiefs want to reach a ceasefire and release the hostages.
Also Mr. Netanyahu has refused to give up its most recent demand; Full control of the Philadelphia Corridor, a narrow buffer zone that separates Egypt from Gaza.
Tensions came to a head at a security cabinet meeting last week, where Mr Netanyahu and Yoav Galant, Israel’s defense minister, reportedly engaged in a shouting match during a vote on whether Israel should retain control of the Philadelphia Corridor.
The fight was leaked to the media
The verbal sparring was leaked by Israel’s Channel 12, which revealed how Mr Barney told the cabinet there was no longer any “logic” to vote on the issue.
“In any case, the negotiations are currently focused on (other issues) and not on the Philadelphia corridor,” Mr. Barney said, revealing deep divisions between Mr. Netanyahu and the negotiating team.
IDF Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi also took issue with Mr. Netanyahu’s insistence on keeping control of the corridor, saying the army would know “how to enter and return” to the corridor, at the end of the first six weeks. Armistice
“There are enough obstacles in the negotiations, you don’t need to add another one,” Mr. Halevi reported.
But the atmosphere turned hostile when Mr Gallant directly confronted the Prime Minister about whether he was prepared to sacrifice the hostages’ lives, asking him: “What happens when 30 lives are at stake? What are you doing?”
“I remain on the Philadelphia (corridor), only firm negotiations will force (Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar) to fold,” Mr. Netanyahu reported.
Mr Gallant accused the Prime Minister of “imposing” his position on defense brass.
Punching and spitting
“He had his own plan. You have been conducting the negotiations yourself since the War Cabinet was dissolved (in June). We only learn the decisions after the fact,” said Mr Gallant angrily. “The negotiators sketched the maps as you want, but their position was different,” he added.
Mr Netanyahu then slammed his fist on the table, calling for a corridor to vote.
There was also a spat between Mr Gallant and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, with the latter saying the prime minister “can do whatever he wants”.
“The prime minister can really make all the decisions, and he can also decide to kill all the hostages,” Mr. Gallant replied indignantly.
Closed in ‘Forever War’
Critics also claim Mr. Netanyahu is blocking a deal so he can hang on to power. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said last week that the government was locked in a “forever war that has an end date and never will”.
An Israeli official defended Mr. Netanyahu and his insistence on maintaining border control. They told the Telegraph that there was “agreement” on the issue of the Philadelphia corridor. “Bridging proposal” It was put forward on August 16 by the US, Qatar and Egypt.
“Everybody understands that Israel has to stay along the Philadelphia corridor,” the official said.
The official also took issue with the IDF’s claim that Israel could regain control of the corridor if needed.
“Well, we’ve heard that before and we won’t fall for it again. We have paid a very high price,” the official said.
As internal strife continues in Israel, Hamas has increased its demands for more Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages.
Post Benjamin Netanyahu at odds with Mossad over ‘forever war’ appeared first The Telegraph.