According to a statement by Netanyahu’s office, negotiations are continuing in Gaza on a ceasefire and prisoner swap. “Hamas insists on a provision that would prevent Israel from returning to war in Gaza,” the statement said, adding that Israel finds this situation “unacceptable.”
The statement also stated that there were gaps that still needed to be filled in the negotiation process, and that Israel would continue to apply military and diplomatic pressure on Hamas to release the remaining 120 prisoners.
Following Israel’s rejection of the ceasefire proposal submitted by the Hamas Movement to Qatari and Egyptian authorities on May 6, it was reported that US President Joe Biden presented a new proposal that Israel could accept on May 31. However, Netanyahu announced that they would continue the attacks until the specified goals were achieved.
In his speech to the House Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on June 3, Netanyahu argued that there were “gaps” between the proposals presented by Israel and Biden.