Netanyahu accused of ‘doublespeak’ over Gaza ceasefire negotiations

The contradiction between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's words and actions regarding efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza have been described as "doublespeak", according to new reports on the discussions.

"Doublespeak" — a term used by George Orwell in 1984 to describe a distortion of words — was used in the Axios piece to describe how Netanyahu has hardened his position in indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas despite positive reports that he could back a US deal set out in May.

According to Israeli sources speaking to the publication, Netanyahu reprimanded top Israeli negotiators, Mossad director David Barnea, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and General Nitzan Alon, for "caving" into Hamas' demands.

Israeli officials also told the publication that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's announcement that Netanyahu supports the US position was baffling, saying his recent actions regarding the Gaza truce talks was causing difficulties.

Rather than agreeing to a US proposal, the sources said that Washington had incorporated some of Netanyahu's positions while the PM's public statements about optimism on the deal were merely political posturing.

Hamas did not take part in last week's talks in Doha, accusing Israel of obfuscation and blocking tactics.

Egyptian and Qatari mediators also don't believe any progress is being made and told Netanyahu that Hamas would reject the deal on the table due to his position.

An additional sticking point is Netanyahu's insistence on Israeli control of the Philadelphi Corridor, on the border with Egypt, which Israel argues is necessary to prevent weapons smuggling to Hamas.

Cairo has strongly rejected this demand, as have Hamas, saying the Camp David accords signed by Egypt and Israel gives the Philadelphi Corridor the status of a demilitarised zone.

Of the talks in Cairo, an Israeli source was quoted by Axios as saying "the talks in Cairo were futile. We are definitely stuck".

The recent talks in Doha and Cairo have been spurred by intense diplomatic activity aimed at forestalling a wider war between Iran and its allies Hezbollah with Israel.

In his keynote address on Monday at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, US President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to attaining a ceasefire deal.

During the speech he said that Blinken is "working around the clock to prevent a wider war and reunite hostages with their families and surge humanitarian health and food assistance into Gaza now".

He conceded that pro-Palestinian protesters, who were demonstrating in their thousands outside the convention, "have a point" noting that "a lot of innocent people have been killed on both sides".

Israel's war on Gaza has killed 40,173 people and wounded a further 92,857 others, causing a humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave and leaving much of the enclave in rubble.

As well as navigating diplomatic negotiations Netanyahu is also attempting to navigate his coalition which has far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir threatening to leave if a ceasefire deal is agreed to.

According to Haaretz, Netanyahu is holding consultations over whether Smotrich and Ben-Gvir will leave the coalition and prompt a snap election if a deal is reached.

As well threatening to leave the government if a deal is reached, Ben-Gvir wants the re-establishment of Israeli settlements in the enclave which were abandoned in 2005 by former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

The publication notes that far-right coalition members are advancing two of Israel's key negotiating positions on retaining control of the Philadelphi corridor and ensuring that Israel can continue the war after the release of hostages, a position Hamas also rejects.

However, sources told Haaretz that although the two are unlikely to support a deal they are unlikely to leave the coalition over the issue.