Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declined a request from the United States’ Gaza peace envoy to halt air strikes against the enclave, following recent Israeli military operations that have resulted in numerous Palestinian casualties. The meeting took place on Monday in Jerusalem, amid heightened tensions after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted targeted killings over the weekend.
Nickolay Mladenov, representing the US-led Board of Peace and appointed under former President Donald Trump’s administration, met with Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, including US Ambassador Mike Huckabee. Mladenov reportedly urged a temporary 14-day pause in Israeli air strikes, but the request was rejected by Netanyahu, who reiterated Israel’s commitment to continuing its campaign against Hamas militants responsible for the October 7, 2023 attacks.
The recent Israeli strikes reportedly targeted Hamas operatives moving within Gaza, resulting in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians. One notable assassination was that of Mahmoud Fatari, a member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad who was involved in holding Israeli captives; his killing was publicly praised by Ron Braslavski, a former hostage. Israeli media confirmed ongoing operations against individuals linked to the October attacks, underscoring Netanyahu’s stance against ending what has been described as an assassination campaign.
The violence has intensified internal pressures within Gaza, with reports indicating that Hamas leadership is increasingly focused on identifying and apprehending suspected collaborators. Meanwhile, influential Israeli newspapers have expressed support for the military’s actions, cautioning against participation in the peace initiative put forward by the Board of Peace. Critics argue that the mediators behind the Board, including Turkey and Qatar, seek to broker a deal appeared to safeguard some degree of Hamas influence in Gaza, a notion disputed within Israeli political circles.
The Board of Peace recently released a weapons-decommissioning agreement with Hamas, proposing a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and demanding mutual cessation of attacks between Israel and the militant group. This document aligns with Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan, which aimed to halt hostilities that commenced last October.
Following the meeting, Mladenov acknowledged the difficulties ahead, emphasizing the slow and technical nature of the peace process. He posted on social media: “Long day in Jerusalem, sitting down with Prime Minister Netanyahu and his team. This is the start of a hard phase and I have never pretended otherwise.”
While the White House has so far refrained from publicly criticizing Israel’s continuation of the air strikes, the divergence in approach between the US administration and the Israeli government appears to be growing as Israel maintains its military operations amid efforts to rebuild and stabilise the Gaza enclave.