From the Liveblog of
Thursday, September 5, 2024
‘There is not a deal in the making, unfortunately,’ Netanyahu tells Fox; blames Hamas rejectionism
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Speaking to the “Fox and Friends” morning show, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that a hostage deal is not about to be sealed. “There is not a deal in the making, unfortunately.”
“It’s not close,” he says, blaming Hamas rejectionism and stressing that there are unresolved issues beyond the future of the Philadelphi Corridor.
Netanyahu says his red lines “have become redder,” and that most of the public backs the cabinet decision to remain on the Gaza-Egypt border for the foreseeable future.
Most of the prime minister’s arguments to Fox around the Philadelphi Corridor mirror what he said during two press conferences this week.
Asked about an NBC report that American hostage families pushed the Biden administration to close a unilateral deal with Hamas if necessary, Netanyahu says he doesn’t know what was said at the meeting, but “I don’t judge the families. They’ve gone through this horrible anguish.”
The Times of Israel Community.