In a Closed Meeting, Smotrich Accuses Netanyahu of "Treason"

SadaNews - In a closed meeting, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich strongly criticized what he described as the government's retreat from its commitments after the proposal of an Israeli plan for a partial withdrawal from Gaza during a ceasefire in the devastated area.

According to the "Times of Israel" newspaper, Smotrich attacked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying: "If reports are true about his willingness to withdraw from areas that were liberated with great sacrifices, this constitutes a serious betrayal of the soldiers and their families, and a violation of the commitments made to them."

He expressed his intense anger at Israeli negotiators presenting new maps proposing a partial military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip during a potential 60-day ceasefire as part of a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

According to informed sources, this amendment followed the rejection by both Hamas and the U.S. administration of the initial Israeli proposal, which included the troops remaining in advanced positions within the Strip.

Reports indicated that the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Whetsel, informed Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer that the initial plan was "unacceptable" and could lead to a failure of the negotiations.

Whetzel warned that any plan resembling "Smotrich's plan," which calls for continued extensive Israeli control within Gaza, would be completely rejected by the U.S. administration.

Smotrich added that any withdrawal from these areas would be "an illogical and unethical slap in the face of those who sacrificed their dearest possessions."

Last Sunday, a new round of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas kicked off in Doha, aiming to reach a ceasefire agreement after mediators delivered a new proposal to both parties based, according to informed sources, on the U.S. envoy Steve Whetzel's proposal.