From the Liveblog of
Friday, August 2, 2024
Security chiefs said to plead with PM to take deal; he tells them they’re lousy negotiators; PMO denies report
Israel’s security chiefs reportedly urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to utilize the momentum provided by strikes on terror chiefs to seize the opportunity for a hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas at a top-level security meeting on Wednesday night.
Channel 12 claims Mossad chief David Barnea, who has been leading Israel’s negotiations on a deal, said at the meeting that there is a deal ready, and that Israel must take it.
But Netanyahu shouted down his security chiefs, banged on the table, and told them they were lousy negotiators, Channel 12 news reports.
It does not cite sources.
The Prime Minister’s Office immediately issues a statement saying the report is false, and specifying that Barnea did not say there is a deal ready and that Israel must take it.
The TV report says the meeting was attended by Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Mossad chief David Barnea, Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and IDF point man for the hostage talks Nitzan Alon.
The meeting took place after the Israeli strike in Beirut that killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr on Tuesday night and after the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran early Wednesday morning; Israel has not taken responsibility for that attack.
According to Channel 12, the discussion of opportunities for a hostage deal descended into a bitter argument, as follows:
Shin Bet head Bar: “I feel that the prime minister does not want the proposal that is on the table. If that is the case, tell us.”
IDF Gen. Alon: “You know that all the parameters (that you recently added to Israel’s proposal from late May) will not be accepted, and there won’t be a deal. With what you’re saying, we’ve got nothing to go with [in the negotiations]. We’re at zero. ”
IDF chief Halevi reportedly made similar comments to Alon’s.
Mossad head Barnea: “There’s a deal. If we procrastinate, we could miss the opportunity. We must take it.”
Netanyahu, banging on the table: “You are weak. You don’t know how to run a tough negotiation. You are putting words in my mouth. Instead of pressuring the prime minister, put pressure on [Hamas Gaza chief] Sinwar.”
The security chiefs left the meeting concluding that Netanyahu does not want a deal at this point, the TV report says. It quotes unnamed security sources saying he remains stubborn “even though we have made clear to him that the security establishment can deal with the consequences of a deal.” The unnamed sources are also quoted asserting, “He has given up on the hostages.”
The report suggests that the consequences could play out in two ways: Israel could yet go for a deal, and see if it can also reach an arrangement in the north that averts all-out war. Or it could procrastinate, have no deal and enter a war without legitimization from the US.
