Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Friday dismissed as “absolute fake news” a report it is negotiating with Egypt over withdrawing its troops from the eight-mile corridor dividing the two countries as part of ongoing talks over a Gaza cease-fire and hostage-release deal.
Meanwhile, Israeli media, reflecting ongoing tension between Netanyahu and the leadership of the Israel Defense Forces, quoted anonymous military officials accusing the prime minister of intentionally seeking to stall the process.
The families of dozens of hostages who remain in Hamas captivity have been at the forefront of escalating demonstrations in Israel demanding that Netanyahu complete the deal, with some accusing him of holding back to keep his government from falling in the face of pressure from extreme right-wing coalition partners who oppose an agreement.
Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to Washington to address a joint session of Congress on July 24, and it is unclear whether Biden, whose relationship with the Israeli leader has become more strained as the war’s civilian toll has grown, will hold a formal meeting with him.
While the administration has long accused Hamas of holding up a deal that it said Israel had already agreed to, the militant leadership late last week dropped a demand that an end state of permanent cease-fire and full Israeli withdrawal be guaranteed before it would enter the first phase.
Israel’s Philadelphi Corridor demand, among several Israeli red lines Netanyahu announced in a Thursday speech to newly graduating IDF officers, would appear to violate conditions outlined in the framework plan.
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