He said Lapid After meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken: “I think all political interests have to be put aside for this. This is much more important.”
He continued: “If Israel “As a nation we will not recover unless we bring them back home,” he said, referring to Hostages“It is crucial to our existence,” he added.
“It is something that can be done,” he stressed, explaining, “We can reach an agreement on the hostages, and we need to do that.”
Lapid is a former prime minister, and has renewed his pledge not to seek to overthrow the government. Netanyahu Which relies on the support of right-wing members, if the latter goes ahead with the deal.
While describing Hamas as a “terrible terrorist organization,” Lapid said Netanyahu’s government “must do more” to reach a deal to release the hostages.
On May 31, US President Joe Biden presented a plan for a ceasefire in Gaza It includes a six-month suspension of fighting and the release of hostages.
Blinken had previously stressed that Netanyahu agreed to a new American proposal that “bridges the gaps” and completes the agreement, which enjoys broad popular support in Israel.
In contrast, Netanyahu has previously publicly denied the validity of American conclusions indicating that an agreement is close, insisting on Israel’s military control over Philadelphia Corridorwhich is an area along Egyptian borders It emerged as a major point of contention in the truce talks.
On this point, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that the Philadelphia corridor and details of the release of hostages are the two sticking points that are hindering reaching an agreement.
He noted that the United States is working “rapidly” on a new proposal to fill the remaining gaps.
“We are in contact with our partners in the region, specifically Egypt and Qatar, about the content of this proposal,” Miller said, adding, “We are seeking to make it a proposal that can lead the two parties to a final agreement.”
