Cairo: Hamas Arrives, Netanyahu Rejects Sending Officials Back
The Facts
A day after Israeli officials were in Egypt for negotiations regarding another hostage release deal and an extended pause in fighting in the Gaza Strip, a Hamas official said that a delegation from the group was expected in Cairo on Wednesday for discussions with Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
The lack of a breakthrough during Tuesday's talks between Israeli, Egyptian, Qatari, and US officials has stoked growing concerns that Israeli forces will push into the southern Gaza city of Rafah on the Egyptian border — where over 1M displaced Palestinians are sheltering, largely in tent camps.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Israel must be able to defend itself from terrorist attacks, whether from Gaza or elsewhere, and the US will always support Israel in maintaining its security. However, Netanyahu is going too far with the war in Gaza, and he must be willing to follow through on his promises and compromise as needed so that another extended truce can take effect, which will hopefully lead to a more permanent resolution to this conflict. The Biden administration is losing its patience with Netanyahu's intransigence.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israel will always be thankful for the US' steadfast support, but Pres. Joe Biden needs to take a step back from his criticisms of Israel's Prime Minister. Netanyahu is a complicated figure, and Biden has a re-election campaign to worry about, which has created understandable tension between the two. However, Biden must understand that he should be pressuring Hamas terrorists — who have not made a single positive step in finding a compromise — instead of Israel. Israel will pursue its goals, which are incredibly popular with its citizens, regardless of whether it annoys Washington.
Pro-Palestine narrative
As Israel's slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza continues unabated, the Biden administration, increasingly anxious over the upcoming election, has resorted to cheap tactics to deny its support for Israel's brutal campaign. Regardless of how the administration tries to spin it, Biden has armed Israel, given it diplomatic cover, and refused to call for a permanent cease-fire — all of which incentivizes continued bloodshed. Indeed, Israel's war on Gaza would be unsustainable without US support, and Biden should enact concrete policy to stop the violence.