Matthew Miller: Netanyahu Sabotaged Gaza Ceasefire Talks at Least Five Times
Washington (Quds News Network)- An investigation by Israel’s Channel 13 revealed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies systematically obstructed Gaza ceasefire talks, even as the Biden administration blamed Hamas for the failure.
The report revealed that Netanyahu, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich blocked prisoner exchange deals with Hamas at least five times.
Former US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed the findings. He said Washington knew Israel was undermining ceasefire efforts but chose silence. “We had no broad mandate. At times it was zero,” Miller admitted. He explained that conditions shifted suddenly, sometimes even as US envoys boarded planes.
The report documented how Netanyahu placed new conditions whenever talks neared success. His government resisted ceasefire terms and repeatedly reset negotiations. These moves, according to the investigation, denied Israeli prisoners a chance at early release and prolonged the genocide.
Gadi Eisenkot, a former member of Israel’s war cabinet, and the deputy head of the Israeli negotiating team also testified. He said political leaders misled the public, publishing false claims about deals before talks had even begun.
The Channel 13 report highlighted Washington’s role. Miller admitted that US officials saw Israel adding obstacles to the talks. Yet the Biden administration chose not to confront Netanyahu, fearing that public criticism would “strengthen Hamas”.
“The Israeli government cannot claim it did everything to free the hostages,” Miller said. His words underscored a deep gap between Israel’s public statements and its behind-the-scenes actions.
