I know the focus of Washington right now is Lebanon – but, despite what Netanyahu says, Lebanon will not impact what happens in Gaza.
Our main focus must be ending the war in Gaza and getting the hostages home now!
We have got to get the Americans to use their team in Doha to pin down Hamas on the deal that Hamas already (unofficially) agreed to: The 3-weeks deal – ending the war, complete Israeli withdrawal from all of Gaza, the release of all 101 hostages and an agreed number and names of Palestinian prisoners from Israel, and on the transference of governance in Gaza to a professional-technocratic non-partisan, non-Hamas government, including the transference of weapons and internal security to the new government. Hamas is on board despite any denials it may make to journalists.
Hamas lacks the experience in knowing how to negotiate and close the deal. They have too little experience in closing deals and they perceive every yes that they say as as something that weakens them in the negotiations. But I remind Hamas several times a day that as they wait and don’t take ownership of the deal that they agree to, more destruction is taking place and more people are getting killed. Not a minute of time should be wasted on egos, lack of trust, and lack of experience.
I repeat this message everyday to the US team headed by CIA Director Bill Burns. And once again, I remind President Biden that he will either be remembered as the Gaza War President, or as the President who ended the Gaza War!
