PressSplit
Kirby calls the statement by Israel’s right-wing finance minister Bezalel Smotrich on the negotiations “outrageous and absurd. © Andrew Harnik/AP/dpa
The mediators USA, Qatar and Egypt are pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza. Washington vehemently rejects criticism of this – and explicitly names the right-wing extremist Finance Minister Smotrich.
Washington – The US government has sharply criticized warnings from Israel against a Gaza agreement. For example, the statement by Israel’s right-wing extremist finance minister Bezalel Smotrich on the negotiations was “outrageous and absurd,” said the communications director of the National Security Council, John Kirby. Statements like these are not only wrong in substance, but also endanger the lives of the hostages and run counter to Israel’s own security interests.
After the mediators USA, Qatar and Egypt forcefully demanded that an agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza war be concluded, Smotrich described such a deal as a “dangerous trap”. It would end the war in the Gaza Strip before Hamas was destroyed and would allow it to reorganize and start murdering Jews again, Smotrich wrote on the X platform.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “according to the proposal of the United States and the mediators,” Israel would send a delegation to a location yet to be determined on August 15 “to determine the details of the implementation of the agreement.” Smotrich urged Netanyahu not to fall into the trap and deviate from his red lines.
Kirby said Smotrich was essentially suggesting that the war should continue without pause and without regard for the lives of the hostages. “His arguments are completely false. They mislead the Israeli public.”
