Tensions mount as Israel says US allowed Hamas to blindside Israel with revised hostage deal offer
Israel feels “played” by the United States, Qatar and Egypt after Hamas’ surprise announcement that it had accepted a hostage deal proposal on Monday evening, officials told news website Axios on Tuesday.
The Israeli government was caught by “complete surprise” by the statement that came just as Israeli troops were about to launch a limited incursion into Rafah, an Israeli source told the Times of Israel.
Israeli officials declared the announcement to be a ploy meant to prevent Israel’s incursion into Rafah, adding that Hamas had agreed to an offer that Israel never approved.
They also charged that the Biden administration was aware of the proposal negotiated by Egypt and Qatar but failed to warn Israel before Hamas announced its acceptance on Monday.
Speaking to Axios, the officials said Egypt gave the Hamas delegation the new proposal last weekend before the terror group made additional changes with the knowledge of Biden administration officials, including CIA Director Bill Burns who was in Cairo at the time.
Burns allegedly did not update Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant when the two spoke on the phone Monday morning, and the U.S. allowed Israel to be blindsided by the announcement in the evening.
The reports indicating deep suspicion between the governments come against the background of reports by The Wall Street Journal on Monday, that the Biden administration caused the sale of 6,500 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) to Israel to be delayed.
According to WSJ, the U.S. Congress was informed of the sale in January but, since then, the administration hasn’t moved forward.
“It’s unusual, especially for Israel, especially during a war,” said a congressional official familiar with the arms sales process.
In addition, Washington has not advanced an additional $1 billion in weapons sales to Israel, including critical ammunition and was announced in March.
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