Israeli journalist Amos Harel, in an analysis in Haaretz published July 6, has his doubts about Netanyahu’s intentions. “The U.S. is hoping to impose an interim agreement on the two sides, and U.S. President Donald Trump is bent on turning it into a complete deal that would belatedly end the war in the Gaza Strip,” he writes. “If Trump gets his wish, he may already declare this during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, which begins on Sunday,” July 6.
“The formulation now shaping up may leave an opening for ending the war, which is what Hamas wants. Two things should be noted in this regard. First, this same deal could have been reached last March … if Netanyahu had really wanted it,” he says, referring to the time when the second phase of the January 19 ceasefire was supposed to go into effect. “Second, stretching out the implementation of the new deal over multiple and prolonged stages is only a result of Israel’s insistence,” Harel continues. “On the other hand, Netanyahu is still scattering stumbling blocks along the way, which may not foil the deal in the end but will at least signal to his extreme right-wing coalition partners that these options are still open.”
