Table of Contents
Netanyahu aide: Biden’s Gaza plan ‘not a good deal’ but Israel accepts it
An aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that President Joe Biden's plan for Gaza is not a good deal, but Israel has accepted it. The first phase of Biden’s plan entails a truce and the return of some hostages held by Hamas, with negotiations on a cessation of hostilities to follow. However, Israel's conditions, including the release of hostages and the destruction of Hamas, have not changed. Biden has described the plan as flawed and in need of much more work, but has expressed support for it. The plan has been provisionally welcomed by Hamas, but the group insists on a comprehensive agreement that meets its demands. Meanwhile, the Maldives has announced a ban on Israeli passports and launched a national fundraising campaign in solidarity with Palestine. Israeli officials have rejected Hamas' demands for a withdrawal of all invading forces and free movement for Palestinians as an effective return to the situation before the war. The conflict has resulted in a high civilian death toll and has led to various international responses.
