Diplomats say US ceasefire proposal went 'too far' to accommodate Netanyahu: Report

A “bridging proposal” put forward by the Biden administration to try and seal a ceasefire in Gaza went to “too far” to accommodate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s positions, leaving the talks at an impasse, the Times Of Israel reported citing two Arab officials from a mediating country and a third official involved in the talks.

The report said one Arab official believes there is no point holding another planned gathering of negotiators later this week in Cairo unless the US pressures Netanyahu to step back from his position of keeping Israeli troops in the Rafah and Netzarim corridors.

The second Arab official told TOI that he was surprised US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had repeatedly insisted Netanyahu backs the US bridging proposal, saying it created an inaccurate impression that Hamas is the party obstructing talks.