Key facts
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a U.S.-backed Gaza peace plan.
- Netanyahu stated that progress on a Gaza ceasefire deal requires Hamas disarmament.
- Netanyahu conveyed his position to Jared Kushner.
- Netanyahu insists on Hamas disarmament before any Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud party is holding primaries to choose candidates for upcoming elections.
- Analysts suggest hard-right contenders in the Likud primaries could complicate Netanyahu's re-election hopes.
- Polls indicate a desire for a more centrist government among Likud voters.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has communicated his position on a potential Gaza ceasefire deal, asserting that no progress can be achieved until Hamas disarms. Netanyahu conveyed this stance directly to Jared Kushner, rejecting a U.S.-backed road map for peace. His insistence is on the disarmament of Hamas as a prerequisite for any Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. This position highlights a significant hurdle in ongoing diplomatic efforts concerning the conflict.
In parallel, the political landscape within Israel is subject to shifts as Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud party prepares for its primaries. These primaries will determine the party's candidates for upcoming elections. Political analysts suggest that a notable success for hard-right contenders in these internal party elections could complicate Netanyahu's personal re-election aspirations. Current polling data indicates that Likud voters may be leaning towards a more centrist government, a sentiment that could be at odds with a strong hard-right showing in the primaries.