Israel divided on proposed ceasefire as military continues offensive

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a U.S. backed proposal for a permanent ceasefire a "non-starter" as Israel continued its military movements across the Gaza Strip. 

"Israel's conditions for ending the war have not changed: The destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel," Netanyahu said referring to a three-phase deal proposed by U.S. president Joe Biden on Friday.

The first phase involves a six-week ceasefire with some hostages freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. In this phase, Hamas and Israel would negotiate a permanent ceasefire. If negotiations take more than six weeks, the temporary ceasefire would extend while they continued.

In the second phase, Biden said there would be an exchange for all remaining living hostages, Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza and the permanent ceasefire would begin. The third phase would include a major reconstruction plan for Gaza and the return of the "final remains" of hostages.

Hamas said it was ready to engage "positively and in a constructive manner" with any proposal based on a permanent ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces, the reconstruction of Gaza, a return of those displaced, and a "genuine" prisoner swap deal if Israel "clearly announces commitment to such deal."

Netanyahu's office said he had authorized his negotiating team to present the deal, "while insisting that the war will not end until all of its goals are achieved, including the return of all our hostages and the destruction of Hamas' military and governmental capabilities."

He added: "Israel will continue to insist these conditions are met before a permanent ceasefire is put in place. The notion that Israel will agree to a permanent ceasefire before these conditions are fulfilled is a non-starter." 

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Opposition Israeli political opposition leader Yair Lapid urged Netanyahu to take the tabled proposal, offering to form a "safety net" coalition between his Yesh Atid party and Netanyahu's Likud should more hardline members of the Israeli cabinet oppose and leave the cabinet. 

"The government of Israel cannot ignore President Biden's consequential speech. There is a deal on the table and it should be made," Lapid wrote on X.

The divide between Israel's two largest parliamentary parties comes amid renewed efforts from the international community to seek a swift resolution. 

"The war in Gaza must end," French President Emanuel Macron said. "We support the U.S. proposal for a durable peace. Just as we are working with our partners in the region on peace and security for all."

"The release of the hostages, a permanent ceasefire to work towards peace and progress on the two-state solution," Macron added.

He was joined by Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Hanke Bruins Slot, who said: The Netherlands supports the efforts of the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt in mediating this plan. It is imperative to ultimately work towards a two-state solution, the most effective path to achieving sustainable, lasting peace."

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said he had also been contacted regarding the proposed ceasefire. 

Egypt announced that talks with the U.S. and Israel would take part on Sunday, vying to find a solution to reopening the Rafah crossing between Sinai and the Gaza Strip. The crossing has been nonoperational since IDF forces seized it earlier in May. 

Indonesia's president-elect, Prabowo Subianto announced Saturday at the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference that his nation would be willing to send peacekeeping forces to Gaza. 

"When needed and when requested by the UN, we are prepared to contribute significant peacekeeping forces to maintain and monitor this prospective ceasefire as well as providing protection and security to all parties and to all sides," Prabowo said. 

Gaza's health ministry reported that the death toll for the conflict had risen to 36,379 Palestinians killed since October 7, with 82,407 injured as Israel continued shelling and striking targets across the enclave. 

IDF units reportedly resumed shelling Gaza's southern city of Rafah with tanks and artillery just hours after the new ceasefire deal was proposed. 

Fighting was also reported further north in Gaza City.

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