Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed his acceptance of an invitation to address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress in Washington. In a statement released on Saturday, Netanyahu expressed his intention to speak to both Houses of Congress and “present the truth” regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The invitation was extended to Netanyahu in a letter signed by leaders of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on Friday. According to Israel’s state-owned Kan TV news, the speech is anticipated to take place within the next eight weeks.
In a separate announcement, Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s conditions for ending the conflict, emphasizing the need for the destruction of Hamas’ military and governing capabilities, the release of all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. He emphasized that these conditions must be met before a permanent cease-fire is implemented.
Meanwhile, a significant demonstration took place in Israel on Saturday night, led by families of hostages held by Hamas, urging the government to take action. Mediators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar have been actively involved in pressing both Israel and Hamas to consider a proposed deal, which aims to provide immediate relief to hostages and Gaza residents and pave the way for a permanent cease-fire.
However, there is resistance within the Israeli government to accepting the proposed deal, with far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir indicating their intent to break up the government if the deal is accepted. This could potentially lead to new elections and subject Netanyahu to scrutiny over security failures and longstanding corruption charges.
In response to the ongoing discussions, Qatar, the United States, and Egypt have jointly called on Hamas and Israel to finalize an agreement based on the principles of a U.S. proposal. The three countries emphasized the importance of reaching a deal that addresses the demands of all parties and provides immediate relief to those affected by the conflict.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian leadership reiterated the necessity for the Israeli army to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and for the opening and handover of all border crossings to the Palestinian Authority. They emphasized the need for a political solution based on international legitimacy, ending the Israeli occupation, and establishing an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty on the 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem.