Israeli leaders increasingly divided over Hamas war and prospect of two-state solution

Geoff Bennett:

As the war in Gaza nears four months since the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel, the shape of the debate inside that nation has become even starker, around 130 hostages still held, a world increasingly outraged at the Palestinian death toll, and clear disagreements with Washington, as the Israeli prime minister says he will stay the course.

Nick Schifrin reports.

Nick Schifrin:

Israeli politics is always a contact sport, but, today, in an Israeli Parliament committee meeting, the families of hostages held in Gaza erupted.

Man (through interpreter):

I ask you, if these were your children, what would you have done?

Nick Schifrin:

Hostage families are increasingly challenging the government, including outside Prime Minister Netanyahu's house. They want to prioritize their loved ones over prosecuting the war in Gaza. That debate is now inside Israel's war cabinet.

Gadi Eisenkot is a war cabinet observer and former army chief. In December, his son Gal was killed fighting in Gaza. He promised to make the right decisions for those who have sacrificed. Last week, he criticized Netanyahu and said the best way to release the hostages was a cease-fire.

Gadi Eisenkot, Israeli War Cabinet Member (through interpreter):

It is impossible to return the hostages alive in the near future without a deal. And whoever is selling lies to the public, then he's selling lies. There's no other way to put it.

Nick Schifrin:

Publicly, Netanyahu has rejected any deal that would require Israel to stop the war and its effort to uncover Hamas tunnels that it says hid hostages, including this one under the Southern Gaza City of Khan Yunis.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister (through interpreter):

I utterly reject the Hamas monsters' capitulation terms. Only total victory will ensure the elimination of Hamas and the return of all our hostages.

Nick Schifrin:

But U.S. officials say there are negotiations over a longer pause in exchange for the release of most, if not all, of the hostages.

Joe Biden , President of the United States: There are a number of two-state solutions.

Nick Schifrin:

There's also a longer term Netanyahu disagreement with the U.S. On Friday, President Biden reiterated he believed Israel's security would be best guaranteed by a two-state solution. But

Question:

But Bibi said he's opposed to a two-state solution.

Joe Biden :

No, he didn't say no. He didn't say that.

Nick Schifrin:

But, over the weekend, Netanyahu made clear, at least publicly, that is exactly what he said.

Benjamin Netanyahu (through interpreter):

My insistence is what prevented for years the establishment of a Palestinian state, which would impose an existential danger to Israel. As long as I am prime minister, I will continue to firmly stand by it.

John Kirby, NSC Coordinator For Strategic Communications:

It's the president's view that a two-state solution is the best path forward.

Nick Schifrin:

Today, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby once again put the onus on Israel.

John Kirby:

It's going to require leadership on all sides in the region as well, and it's going to require leadership there.