Israeli opposition leader arrives in US, tells Netanyahu to finalise Gaza deal

(Patria) - Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on Monday called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately conclude a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, after meeting with top US officials in Washington, AFP reported.

"I believe that for this, any political interests should be set aside. This is much more important," Lapid told reporters outside the State Department after meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. "Israel as a nation will not heal if we do not bring them home," Lapid said of the hostages.

"This is essential for our existence."

"It is doable," he added. "We can make a deal on the hostages and we must do so."

Lapid, a former prime minister, renewed his pledge not to work to topple Netanyahu's government, which relies on the support of far-right members, if it proceeds with the proposed deal.

Describing Hamas as a "horrible terrorist organisation," Lapid said Netanyahu's government "needs to do more" to reach an agreement on freeing the hostages.

US President Joe Biden outlined a plan on May 31 for a ceasefire in the Gaza war that would include a six-month freeze in fighting and the release of prisoners. Blinken earlier insisted that Netanyahu was in line with US proposals to bridge gaps and finalise the deal, which enjoys broad support among the Israeli public.

Netanyahu has publicly rejected US assessments that a deal is nearly complete and has insisted on an Israeli military presence on the Egypt-Gaza border. His stance on the so-called Philadelphi Corridor has angered Egypt, the first Arab country to make peace with Israel and a key mediator in the crisis.

The Philadelphi Corridor and details on the release of prisoners remain the main sticking points in the deal, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.