Benjamin Netanyahu issues statement refusing Joe Biden's seemingly pro-Hamas 'roadmap' to end Gaza war

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement on Saturday, June 1, that appeared to refute President Joe Biden's declaration that the Gaza war would end.

According to Netanyahu's office, Israel remains firm in its demands for the end of the war, which include the annihilation of Hamas's military and political capacities, the release of all hostages, and assurances that Gaza is no longer a threat to Israel.

Netanyahu's official statement on social media

In the second part of the statement posted on X, his office continued, "The notion that Israel will agree to a permanent ceasefire before these conditions are fulfilled is a non-starter," per Fox News.

What did Joe Biden say on the issue?

Biden gave what he called "a roadmap to an enduring ceasefire and the release of all hostages" in a speech from the White House on Friday. He claimed that the plan was the result of intensive diplomacy between the leaders of Egypt, Israel, Qatar, and other Middle Eastern nations and the United States.

Biden said that Israel had already presented Hamas with "a comprehensive new proposal" that included plans for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages to Israel, and reconstruction of the war-torn region without permitting Hamas to retake power in any capacity.

Critics on Joe Biden's plan's shortcomings

Critics jumped on the opportunity to point out the plan's shortcomings, even though both Israel and Hamas reacted hesitantly to Biden's challenge to end the war in Gaza permanently and free the 125 hostages taken by the militant group backed by Iran during its vicious attack against Israel on October 7.

Biden's offer has already been met with criticism. Former Trump National Security Council staff member and FDD senior advisor Richard Goldberg told Fox News, "To be clear, the president has just repackaged a Hamas proposal as a U.S.-endorsed Israeli proposal, perhaps believing this would make an Israeli surrender to Hamas more palatable to Israelis."

The Israeli military had taken over the 'Philadelphi Corridor'

The Israeli military declared on Thursday, May 30, that it had gained possession of the eight-mile-long "Philadelphi Corridor," which stretches along Gaza's border with Egypt.

According to Israel, the action was taken to destabilize Hamas by severing its access to tunnels that are used to smuggle arms and ammunition into the Palestinian enclave.

It also dealt yet another blow to the terror group's ability to rule, which has been progressively eroding over the course of the eight-month conflict, despite its repeated rejection of cease-fire requests.

Hamas viewed Joe Biden's plan positively

Hamas expressed its positive opinion of the US President's plan in a statement released on Saturday as well, highlighting "his call for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of [Israeli] forces from Gaza Strip, reconstruction, and an exchange of prisoners."

Joe Biden’s speech caught many in Israel off-guard

Biden's speech surprised a lot of people in Israel. Given that the speech would be delivered after the Jewish sabbath when many devout Israelis turn off their phones and televisions. Israeli news analysts questioned whether Netanyahu's office had been informed about the speech.

Some questioned why Biden had leaked details of an offer to Hamas, which had stated a day earlier that it had rejected Israel's proposal, behind Netanyahu's back as he presented his plan live on television. Concerns also arose regarding the authenticity of Biden's plan, specifically whether it was an altered version or the same one that Netanyahu's government had approved.

National Security Council said it was the same plan

A spokesperson for the National Security Council (NSC) told the outlet that it was the same plan.

The plan, according to the president's speech, would be implemented in three phases. The first phase, which would last six weeks, would see a complete ceasefire, an Israeli military withdrawal from all populated areas of Gaza, and the release of several hostages. Israel would free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in return and permit Gaza's civilian population to return to their houses and neighborhoods across the entire Strip.

Humanitarian assistance, he said, would surge "with 600 trucks carrying aid into Gaza every single day."

The ceasefire would become permanent after phase two, which would see the release of all remaining hostages, including male soldiers. Major reconstruction of Gaza, which has been largely destroyed by eight months of fighting, would be the focus of a third phase.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid urges Benjamin Netanyahu to consider Joe Biden's proposal

Yair Lapid, the leader of the Israeli opposition, urged the government to take the proposal under consideration, stating that it "cannot ignore President Biden’s important speech."

"There is a deal on the table, and it needs to be made – I remind Netanyahu that he has a ‘safety net’ from us to make a deal, should Ben Gvir and Smotrich leave the government," said Lapid, referring to hardline government ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Betzalel Smotrich, who are likely to reject any suggestion that Israel end the war without completely defeating Hamas. 

Internet advises Israel to 'ignore Biden'

Netizens expressed their disappointment in Biden's administration for showing a lack of support towards Israel during the ongoing war with Hamas.

One X user said, "Israel needs to ignore Biden." Another commented, "Netanyahu is right! Biden support Hamas, he is not an ally of Israel."

"You mean Biden doesn’t know what’s really going on? I’m shocked," added one user.

"I love America ,,but why do they want to tell countries how to win their wars," wondered one, and another wrote, "genocide joe needs to #StopArmingIsrael."

"NEVER TRUST JOE BIDEN! IT WILL ALWAYS BE BAD FOR ISREAL!" echoed one.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.