Haaretz: Israeli officials refuse to cooperate with Gaza Peace Council

OCCUPIED PALESTINE, Sept. 05 (YPA) – Israeli officials have refused to cooperate with the Gaza Peace Council and told Washington that they believe the United States has “abandoned” them, Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported on Saturday.

Haaretz also reported growing tensions between Israeli officials and the council, saying both military and civilian officials have refused to cooperate with it.

The paper said the council believes the position has the backing of Israel’s highest political leadership, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to Haaretz, relations between US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu have also deteriorated, with little of their previous close relationship remaining amid disagreements over how to handle Gaza.

Meanwhile, the United States plans to wait until after Israel’s elections in late October before renewing efforts to advance the Gaza Peace Council’s plan, an unnamed diplomat told “The Times of Israel.”

The paper also reported on Friday that Hamas had told mediators it does not intend to surrender its weapons while Israeli military operations continue in Gaza.

Citing a diplomat from one of the countries mediating the Gaza ceasefire, the paper said US envoy Jared Kushner’s frustration with Netanyahu has not gone as far as threatening to withhold US support if Israeli strikes continue.

@E.Y.M