Israel is far from ending the war against the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip, an unnamed United States official told CBS News Friday.

"The Israelis haven't come close to achieving their objective of destroying Hamas," the official said, adding that hundreds of terrorists and miles of unexplored tunnels remain, and Hamas Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar remains at large.

According to the source, since Israel has no "day after" plan, the current strategy is "a recipe for continuous war."

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Thursday night with National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.

Blinken reiterated Washington's commitment to Israeli security and discussed ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and ensure the release of all hostages.

The secretary of state emphasized the need to take additional steps to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza and to plan for governance, security, and reconstruction after the war. He also stressed the importance of avoiding further escalation in Lebanon and reaching a diplomatic decision that allows Israeli and Lebanese evacuees to return to their homes.

The meeting between Hanegbi, Dermer, and Blinken took place against the backdrop of the heightened tensions between Washington and Jerusalem after White House spokesman John Kirby called a video released by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he accused the US of withholding specific weapons, "perplexing" and "disappointing."  Subsequently, Netanyahu tweeted on X, "I am willing to absorb personal attacks if that is what it takes for Israel to get the arms and ammunition it needs in its war for survival."

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The five demands that Hamas has put forth in the negotiations for the release of the Israeli hostages are aimed at preserving its status as the dominant power in the Gaza Strip, allowing its members to emerge from hiding and resume their routine activities without fear of Israeli retaliation, enabling the reconstruction of its military capabilities, and capitalizing on the political gains from the war in the West Bank and the Palestinian Authority.

Hamas' insistence on receiving international guarantees that Israel will not violate the terms of the deal is intended to maintain international involvement in the conflict, anticipating that pressure will be primarily directed toward Israel, serving Hamas' interests at every stage.

The notion that Hamas could agree to a ceasefire for the exchange and then renew hostilities under some pretext to achieve its goals overlooks the dynamics inherent in such processes, which would effectively prevent such a scenario.

The key costs Israel would incur under the proposed deal include ending the war without destroying Hamas, allowing the reconstruction of its military capabilities in Gaza, creating conditions that enhance its standing in the West Bank, heightening risks due to the involvement of hundreds of released militants in terrorist activities, and potentially encouraging increased use of kidnappings by terrorist groups emboldened by the current outcome.

Moreover, on a psychological level, the deal would be perceived as a successful conclusion to the war Hamas imposed on Israel and a failure by the IDF to achieve its military objectives despite the prolonged fighting. Any decision by the government to support or reject the deal is legitimate, provided it is made with a sober assessment of the comprehensive advantages and risks it entails.

In response to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's accusation of obstructing efforts to reach an agreement, Hamas once again outlined its primary demands in exchange for releasing the captives: "A comprehensive agreement based on a permanent ceasefire, complete Israeli withdrawal from the Strip, return of displaced Gaza residents to their homes, reconstruction of the Strip, and a serious prisoner exchange deal." The five demands outlined reveal Hamas' strategic objectives for the day after.

Irreversible cessation of hostilities

For Hamas, the cornerstone of any deal is an agreement on ending the war, leading to the withdrawal of Israeli forces to the pre-escalation lines and limiting Israel's ability to conduct counter-terrorism operations in Gaza. This would allow Hamas members to safely emerge from their hiding places, reorganize, restore their governance, and rebuild their capabilities.

Concurrent with the ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, captives would be released in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, displaced Gazans would be allowed to return to the Strip, and an internationally funded reconstruction process would commence.

Israel would not be able to resume hostilities after their cessation. In such a reality, and after the Israeli war machine has been shut down, it would be impossible to simply flip a switch and restart the fighting as if nothing had happened. Even in the face of ceasefire violations by Hamas, the international community would pressure Israel to resort to a "proportionate response." Domestically, too, it would be challenging to garner support for renewing the war, given the costs and the additional threats and challenges that would arise. The practical implication is that the war would effectively end with Hamas remaining the dominant force in Gaza and having achieved gains that would enhance its standing even in the West Bank and the Palestinian Authority.

No disarmament for Hamas

At Hamas' disposal would not only be a network of tunnels spanning dozens of kilometers but also the means to rapidly restore its local arms production industry. Combined with the substantial resources that would be introduced for civilian reconstruction, it is reasonable to assume that within a short period, Hamas could replenish its arms shortages. As long as Hamas remains the governing authority and the de facto ruler, no external party – neither Arab states nor international organizations – would be able to effectively monitor and prevent these risks.

Regarding the prevention of smuggling from Sinai into Gaza, without effective Israeli control over the Philadelphia Corridor and the Rafah Crossing, Israel would be forced to rely on international arrangements, emphasizing security coordination with Egypt. Past experience does not inspire optimism for the future. Moreover, the inherently gradual nature of military buildup, occurring out of the spotlight, would hinder the application of pressure and allow for incremental adaptation to the evolving reality.

Return of displaced Gazans: Accepting tunnel reality

The extensive network of tunnels beneath residential areas in Gaza City provides Israel with justification for not allowing displaced Gazans to return to their homes and to continue considering these areas as "combat zones." This could have served as significant leverage for the Gazan population seeking to return to normalcy, pressuring Hamas. Israel's concession on this issue not only eliminates this source of pressure but may also be interpreted as tacit acceptance of this reality, which contradicts the concept of security demilitarization.

Consolidating power in the West Bank and PA

Hamas' insistence that militants from the West Bank released as part of the deal be returned to their homes rather than Gaza reflects not only the position of strength from which Hamas leaders are negotiating but also the organization's intent to leverage their release to enhance its political standing in the West Bank and the Palestinian Authority and, of course, to utilize their terrorist capabilities to strengthen its infrastructure in that area.

Continued action against Hamas necessary

At this juncture, Hamas' elaborate response has spared Israel from the in-depth discussion required regarding the implications of the deal on the table. Decision-makers face an unenviable task. Any decision they make will be a case of "woe to those who fashion me, and woe to those who birth me."

For now, it is prudent to continue and intensify efforts to dismantle Hamas' infrastructure, increase efforts to target Sinwar and other field commanders, work to eliminate Hamas leaders abroad who constitute the organization's political, media, and economic arm – for they are the ones who transform Hamas into a regionally influential entity. If we do not act against them, they will be central players in the reconstruction of Hamas in the Strip.

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Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer met with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday in Washington, DC, discussing regional cooperation and challenges, including Iran.

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"They also discussed ongoing efforts to further Israel's full integration in the Middle East," US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said. "The Secretary emphasized the importance of Israel and the Palestinians taking affirmative steps to de-escalate tensions and bolster stability in the West Bank."

Video: Blinken and Dermer discussed regional stability / Credit: Reuters

The same day, Blinken spoke on the phone with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, according to Miller. While no statement was made about a potential Israel-Saudi normalization deal specifically, Dermer's visit reportedly revolved around it.

A report in The New York Times said that the White House has been updating a "small but influential group of Democratic senators" on closed-door diplomatic negotiations between the Middle Eastern countries. The group reportedly included US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, as well as senators Bob Menendez and Christopher Murphy.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is said to be seeking a new defensive partnership with the US in return for recognizing the Jewish state. While Israel and Saudi Arabia have made strides in putting aside their differences, serious hurdles remain before any deal is struck. Sticking points include the status of Palestinians, of which the kingdom has long been a staunch supporter, and also a potential nuclear program.

Met with @AmbDermer to underscore the steadfast U.S. commitment to Israeli security and ongoing efforts to expand regional integration. I reaffirmed U.S. support for affirmative steps to de-escalate tensions and bolster stability in the West Bank. pic.twitter.com/aXdTPdbE1x

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) August 18, 2023

A two-thirds majority in the US Senate would be needed to ratify agreements with foreign countries, but Democrats have been critical of Saudi Arabia over its human rights record and war against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

This article was first published by i24NEWS.

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Iran may free five detained US citizens as part of a deal under which $6 billion in Iranian funds in South Korea would be unfrozen, sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday, and top US diplomat Antony Blinken described a process that he expects will lead to their return to the United States.

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As a first step in what may be a complex set of maneuvers, Iran allowed four detained US citizens to move into house arrest from Tehran's Evin prison, a lawyer for one said. A fifth was already under home confinement.

Video: Blinken: Iran's release of 5 Americans from prison is beginning of process to bring them home/Credit: Reuters

The United States would release some Iranians from US prisons as part of the deal, Iran's mission to the United Nations said. The deal was brokered by Oman, which in recent weeks saw high profile visits by US officials. The sultanate has also been mediating between the two sides in the talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, although it is unclear if this prisoner swap indicates progress on that front as well.

The Iranian Americans allowed to leave the prison include businessmen Siamak Namazi, 51, and Emad Shargi, 58, as well as environmentalist Morad Tahbaz, 67, who also has British nationality, said Jared Genser, a lawyer who represents Namazi.

The identity of the fourth US citizen who was allowed out of prison has not been made public, nor has that of the fifth who was already under house arrest.

"My belief is that this is the beginning of the end of their nightmare," US Secretary of State Blinken said at a press conference in Washington, but cautioned that it was just the first step in a process. "There's more work to be done to actually bring them home."

Allowing the five to leave Iran, which could take weeks, would remove a major irritant between Washington and Tehran, which remain at odds on issues from the Iranian nuclear program to Tehran's support for regional Shi'ite militias.

"The move by Iran of the American hostages from Evin prison ... is an important development," Genser said in a statement. "While I hope this will be the first step to their ultimate release, this is at best the beginning of the end."

White House National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson confirmed that the five were all out of prison and under house arrest, saying they should never have been detained and the White House would have little more to add because talks for their eventual release "remain ongoing and are delicate."

Blinken said the US State Department on Thursday spoke to the five Americans. "They're, needless to say, very happy to be out of prison."

Iran's mission to the United Nations said in a statement: "As part of a humanitarian cooperation agreement mediated by a third-party government, Iran and the US have agreed to reciprocally release and pardon five prisoners. The transfer of these prisoners to out of prison marks a significant initial step in the implementation of this agreement."

Departure from Iran could take weeks

Iranian Americans, whose US citizenship is not recognized by Tehran, are often pawns between the two nations.

The five Americans will be allowed to leave Iran after $6 billion of Iranian funds in South Korea are unfrozen, a source told Reuters.

A second source familiar with the talks said it could be weeks before the US citizens leave Iran, saying September was a possible time frame. He confirmed unfreezing the funds may be part of the deal.

However, he said the funds, if transferred from the South Korean banks to another financial institution, would go from one restricted account to another and could only be used for humanitarian purposes such as buying food or medicine.

Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said the funds were first to be converted from the South Korean currency into Euros and then sent to an account in Qatar that Iran could access.

The potential transfer drew immediate Republican criticism that President Joe Biden, a Democrat, had effectively paid a ransom for the US citizens and that Iran using the money for humanitarian goods could free up funds for its nuclear program or to back militias in nations such as Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen.

Blinken said the deal does not mean that Iran would be getting any sanctions relief. "We will continue to enforce all of our sanctions. We will continue to push back resolutely against Iran's destabilizing activities in the region and beyond ... None of these efforts take away from that."

Henry Rome, an analyst at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the deal could help reduce tensions that have boiled since then US President Donald Trump, a Republican, withdrew from a 2015 nuclear deal designed to curb Iran's atomic program.

Rome described the potential release of the five as a step forward "in the broader US efforts to de-escalate tensions in the absence of a nuclear agreement" adding that the White House "wouldn't have gone through with the deal if it wasn't confident it could withstand whatever political blowback is forthcoming."

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Karim Sadjadpour, a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace analyst, said Iranian Americans should still avoid travel to Iran.

"This deal will reinforce the view of (Iran's) Revolutionary Guards that hostage taking is a lucrative practice with minimal costs," he said.

Namazi, who in 2016 was convicted of espionage-related charges the United States has rejected as baseless, has been detained by Iran for more than seven years.

Tahbaz was arrested in 2018 and sentenced to 10 years in prison for "assembly and collusion against Iran's national security" and working for the United States as a spy. Shargi was convicted of espionage in 2020 and also sentenced to 10 years.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke about Iran "at length" on Thursday.

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Netanyahu "reiterated his consistent position that returning to the nuclear agreement with Iran would not stop the Iranian nuclear program and that no arrangement with Iran will obligate Israel, which will do everything to defend itself," according to a readout from the prime minister's office.

The leader also expressed appreciation for the US-Israeli military and intelligence cooperation, "which is at an all-time peak," and for recent "sincere talks" between the two countries.

Netanyahu "suggested advancing Israeli-American cooperation on artificial intelligence," and the two discussed "the challenges and opportunities in the region," per the readout.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller later stated that the two leaders "discussed areas of mutual interest, including expanding and deepening Israel's integration into the Middle East through normalization with countries in the region."

Blinken "discussed the need to uphold the commitments made at regional meetings in Aqaba and Sharm el-Sheikh to avoid measures that undermine the prospects for a two-state solution," Miller added. "He also discussed broader regional challenges, such as the threat posed by Iran, and underscored the United States' ironclad commitment to Israel's security and our 75-year-old partnership."

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.

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Foreign Minister Eli Cohen has begun talks with senior US officials with regard to Israel's highly contested judicial reform and assured them that the legislation will be reached "through dialogue and negotiations."

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Cohen spoke with Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of Israel's biggest supporters in Congress on Wednesday, and is expected to talk with Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday.

Video: White House

In his talk with Graham, Cohen reportedly stressed the need for "broad national consensus. We are facing a great challenge of restoring public trust in Israeli democracy."

He also noted that "Israel should work together with the US to clarify the issues over which the two countries disagree. We need to work together to strengthen our ties that are based on shared values and interests. It is vital on Israel's part to expand the Abraham Accords." The foreign minister stressed that Israel remained "a strong democracy and the demonstrations are the very proof of that."

Cohen expressed hope that an agreement on judicial reform would be reached in the near future.

Following the Israel Hayom report, Cohen issued the following statement: "There is dialogue aimed at reaching an agreement, but we are in any case committed to passing the reform that would strengthen Israel's democracy."

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Israel continued its public opposition on Saturday to a plan by the Biden administration to reopen a US consulate for Palestinians in Jerusalem, a move it sees would undermine its sovereignty in the capital. 

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"My position, and it was presented to the Americans ... is that there is no place for a US consulate which serves the Palestinians in Jerusalem. We are voicing our opinion consistently, quietly, without drama," Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told reporters. 

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, speaking next to Bennett, proposed that if the US insists on reopening its mission, it should do so in the West Bank.

"If they [the US] want to open a consulate in Ramallah, we have no problem with that," he said.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, rejected Lapid's comments.

"We will only accept a US consulate in Jerusalem, the capital of the Palestinian state. That was what the US administration had announced and had committed itself to do," he told Reuters.

The US embassy was not immediately available for comment. 

The consulate was closed in 2018 by then-US President Donald Trump. However, seeking to repair ties with the Palestinians, the Biden administration has said it would reopen the consulate, although it has not given a date.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last month Washington would "be moving forward with the process of opening a consulate as part of deepening of those ties with the Palestinians", however Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Brian McKeon has pointed out that according to US and international law, Washington cannot go ahead with the move unless the Israeli government gives its consent first. 

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Defense Minister Benny Gantz and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke on the phone Tuesday about Israel's plan to build thousands of new homes in Judea and Samaria, according to a recent report. 

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Blinken told Gantz that Washington strongly opposed the move and would have to respond to it. A few hours later, the Biden administration condemned Israel for the construction plans. 

In turn, the defense minister told Blinken that not only are the current building plans on a much smaller scale than what was approved by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he was in office, but they also include the construction of 1,300 new Palestinian homes. 

Gantz further stressed that in an effort to strengthen the Palestinian Authority Israel will allow more transfer of goods to and from the area and will let Palestinian high-tech professionals work in Israel. 

Despite the strong US rebuke, a planning forum of Israel's liaison office with the Palestinians gave preliminary approval for the plans on Wednesday.

The conversation between Gantz and Blinken comes against the backdrop Housing Minister Ze'ev Elkin's planned campaign to market almost 1,000 housing units in Judea and Samaria, according to the Israel Land Authority. 

The civil administration's higher planning and zoning committee was supposed to meet last August to discuss the construction of 2,000 units, but the meeting was canceled due to a labor dispute. 

Israel Hayom reported at the time that the plans meant to be discussed at that time were scrapped due to pressure from Washington, leading to protests by heads of councils in Judea and Samaria. 

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The Biden administration designated 17 countries Thursday as not doing enough to combat human trafficking and warned them of potential US sanctions.

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A State Department report report covering 188 nations said the outbreak had put millions more people at risk and distracted some governments from combating human trafficking.

The 17 nations are Afghanistan, Algeria, Burma, China, Comoros, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, North Korea, Russia, South Sudan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Venezuela and this year's newcomers Malaysia and Guinea-Bissau.

"It's a global crisis, it's an enormous source of human suffering," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, citing estimates that almost 25 million people, many of them women and children, are victims.

The administration also called out several US allies, including Israel, for backsliding in their efforts. That means they don't meet international standards for fighting trafficking but are making significant efforts to do so.

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that the United States is committed to replenishing Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system.

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"We are working with the Israelis to fully understand their needs and working with Congress," the country's top diplomat told the House Foreign Affairs Committee during testimony on US President Joe Biden's 2022 budget request and the department's foreign policy priorities.

"This is under very active review and we look forward to working with you to make sure that happens," Blinken said, referring to Israel's request for $1 billion in emergency funding for Iron Dome following 11 days of fighting with Gaza-based terrorist groups who launched more than 4,000 rockets at Israeli territory.

Blinken reiterated the Biden administration's position that Israel has a right to defend itself against rockets fired indiscriminately at Israeli civilians.

"It would be unacceptable for any country to have rockets rain down on it indiscriminately targeting civilians and not do something about it," Blinken said, adding that as a democracy, Israel has an "extra burden to do everything it possibly can to avoid civilian casualties."

With regard to Hamas, Blinken called it "hard to fathom" how anyone in the world could accept a terrorist organization that has "vowed in its own charter to destroy Israel."

In response to the rise in antisemitic attacks on Jewish communities across the US, Blinken stated that the administration is working "expeditiously" to nominate a State Department Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism.

This article was first published by i24NEWS.

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