Israel pushes back against Gaza peace deal Joe Biden says it put forward

After months of talks, deadlock over shape of hostage and prisoner exchange plan remains

An Israeli security officer wrestles with a young Ultra-Orthodox Jew in Jerusalem during protests over proposals to change government policy granting Ultra-Orthodox Jews exemptions from military conscription. Photo: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

Ethan Bronner

Two days after US President Joe Biden laid out what he calle d an Israeli proposal to end its war on Hamas, it’s clear that key aspects of the deal have not, in fact, been embraced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As the war in Gaza approaches its eighth month, the impasse between Israel and Hamas over exchanging hostages for prisoners remains unchanged : Israel will pause fighting but not end it as long as Hamas’s governing and military structures remain intact, while Hamas will free hostages only if it’s guaranteed a permanent cease fire.