By V.E.K.Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Talks Continue Amid Growing Skepticism and Regional Tensions
Hamas has dismissed suggestions of progress on an Israel Gaza ceasefire as an illusion, following comments from US President Joe Biden, who expressed optimism. After two days of US backed talks in Qatar, President Biden stated on Friday that "we are closer than we have ever been." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office also shared "cautious optimism" regarding potential agreement on a deal.
However, a senior Hamas official stated earlier that there had been no progress, accusing mediators of "selling illusions." The Israeli military's campaign in Gaza, launched in response to an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in about 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Since then, more than 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Gaza's health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas.
A ceasefire deal in November led to Hamas releasing 105 hostages in exchange for a week-long ceasefire and the release of approximately 240 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Israel reports that 111 hostages remain in captivity, 39 of whom are presumed dead.
A recent joint statement by the US, Qatar, and Egypt indicated that they had presented a ceasefire and hostage release proposal that "narrows the gaps" between Israel and Hamas. Israel has emphasized that any ceasefire agreement would require the release of the remaining hostages. Some hostages have already been freed, while others are believed to have died in Gaza.
Relatives of the hostages still held in Gaza view the current negotiations as the "last chance" to save their loved ones. After ten months of conflict and thousands of casualties, the pressure for a breakthrough is immense. A broader regional conflict could erupt if talks between Israel and Hamas collapse entirely, a possibility that all involved parties fear.
While mediators described the last two days of ceasefire discussions as "serious, constructive, and conducted in a positive atmosphere," significant obstacles remain before a ceasefire can be secured. Technical teams will continue to work on the details of implementing the proposed terms, and senior government officials are expected to reconvene in Cairo to discuss the terms outlined in Doha.
Despite the positive tone of the mediators' statement, there is still a long road ahead before a ceasefire is achieved. This is not the first time President Biden has expressed optimism about a potential deal, but not everyone shares his cautious outlook. Both Hamas and the Israeli government have been less upbeat in their responses. Israel maintains that its position and core principles have not changed and are "well-known," accusing Hamas of refusing to agree to a deal for the hostages' release.
Israelis are primarily focused on securing the release of the remaining hostages, though many are skeptical that this is Prime Minister Netanyahu’s top priority. He has reiterated that a "total victory" over Hamas is his government's main goal. Meanwhile, Hamas’s new leader, Yaya Sinwar, has shown little willingness to compromise.
When asked about President Biden’s statement, the senior Hamas official responded that "what we have received from the mediators is very disappointing. There has been no progress." Hamas is believed to have dropped its demand for a permanent ceasefire in favor of President Biden's proposal for a six-week pause, during which a more permanent end to the conflict could be negotiated.
President Biden's ceasefire proposal includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, the staggered release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and the return of the remains of deceased hostages. The "bridging proposal" presented by US, Egyptian, and Qatari negotiators will be the focus of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s discussions in the region and is expected to form the basis for the next round of talks in Cairo, with all parties, including Hamas, anticipated to participate.
While this proposal reportedly "closes the remaining gaps" between the two sides’ positions, allowing for the potential rapid implementation of an agreement, significant challenges remain. Trust between senior Israeli and Hamas officials is virtually nonexistent, and both sides are being pressured to negotiate by external parties concerned about the consequences of failure.
Hamas and its allies suspect that the US administration is attempting to buy more time. Should Iran attack Israel, it could appear as though Hamas undermined the negotiations. Hamas openly desires that Iran and Hezbollah attack Israel, hoping that such an escalation would weaken Prime Minister Netanyahu and force him to accept a deal.
President Biden has warned that "no one in the region should take actions to undermine this process." Meanwhile, Israel's military operation in Gaza continues, with a Saturday morning airstrike reportedly killing 15 people in the al Zawaida neighborhood of central Gaza, according to the Palestinian civil defense authority. Among the dead were nine children and three women. The Israeli military has not commented directly but stated that it had "eliminated a number of terrorists" in central Gaza, including one who had fired at Israeli forces operating in the area.
Israel has issued new evacuation orders for several blocks in northern Khan Younis and Deir Balah, further reducing the humanitarian zone where thousands of displaced Palestinians have sought refuge from the conflict. Israel cited "significant acts of terrorism" and rocket and mortar fire towards Israel as the reason for these orders.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has expressed concern, stating: "Once again, fear spreads as families have nowhere to go." Adding urgency to the need for a ceasefire, the polio virus, which spreads through fecal matter, is now circulating within the Israeli-designated humanitarian zone in Gaza.
UN Secretary General António Guterres emphasized, "The ultimate vaccine for polio is peace and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire."
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