Israeli Tanks Attack Gaza Ahead Of Trump-Netanyahu Meeting
JAKARTA - Israeli tanks are getting closer to the heart of Gaza City on Monday, launching ground attacks hours before negotiations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump signaling a diplomatic breakthrough in an attempt to end the war.
After nearly two years of failed diplomatic efforts, Washington last week submitted a 21-point plan to Arab and Muslim countries calling for a permanent ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages.
Trump, who last week believed the deal to end the fighting was imminent, promised "ONE SPECIAL" ahead of his meeting with Netanyahu.
"Kita memiliki peluang nyata untuk kebenefATAN DI TIMUR TENGAH," tulisnya di media sosial. "SEMua ber JOBUNG UNTUK SESUATU YANG SPECIMEWA, UNTUK PERTAMANYA. KITA AKAN MEWUJUDKANNYA !!!"
However, there are signs of skepticism from Israel.
Sementara itu, sumber yang mengetahui diskusi tersebut mengatakan para pejabat Israel menyampaikan kekhawatiran kepada rekan-rekan AS mereka atas proposal tersebut, termasuk mengenai rencana keterlibatan pasukan keamanan Palestina di Gaza setelah perangan.
Israeli officials also questioned clarity on whether Hamas officials would be expelled from the region, and regarding who would hold full responsibility for Gaza's security.
Meanwhile, there is no concession on the pitch, where Israel has launched one of its biggest attacks in this month's war, a massive attack on Gaza City, in which Netanyahu said he aims to destroy Hamas in his last stronghold.
Huda, a Palestinian woman who took refuge in Deir Al Balah in the south of Gaza City with her two children, told Reuters she was worried Trump's latest peace plan "will disappoint again".
"Trump has made promises in the past that turned out to be only fiction," he said by telephone.
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Abu Abdallah, who took refuge with nearly two dozen family members in tents along the Gaza City coast, said his family was waiting until after the White House meeting before deciding whether to flee south.
"His choice is that peace or Gaza City will be destroyed, such as Rafah," he said, referring to the city in the south that Israel completely destroyed at the start of the war.