Negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue despite no Gaza Ceasefire
As ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue, Washington does not anticipate an agreement in the near future. This is due to the fact that a globally supported, US-backed proposal has not been fully embraced by either side.
Speaking at the G7 summit in Italy, where global conflicts are a key focus, US President Joe Biden expressed his ongoing optimism, stating that he “hadn’t lost hope.”
Despite ongoing Israeli bombing in the Gaza Strip, this week Hamas proposed modifications to a US-backed peace plan aimed at securing a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Skepticism and escalation on the border
Biden’s proposal includes these provisions, but Hamas remains skeptical about Israel’s commitment to implementing them. On Thursday, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan countered claims that Israel isn’t fully committed to the ceasefire plan. He emphasized the goal of “bridging the remaining gaps and reaching a deal.”
Meanwhile, on the Israel-Lebanon border, Hezbollah militants have launched rockets and explosive drones at Israeli military posts for the second consecutive day, in retaliation for the killing of a senior commander. This escalation comes amid threats from some Israeli leaders of all-out war to silence Hezbollah’s rocket fire, as the militant group seeks to pressure Israel during ceasefire negotiations to support its ally, Hamas.
Humanitarian crisis in Gaza
With the war displacing 80% of Gaza’s population, rendering much of the urban landscape uninhabitable, and causing widespread hunger, Palestinians are desperate for an end to the hostilities. “We want a solution. We want to return to our homes. We are tired of this life,” said Salama Abu al-Qumbuz, a displaced person in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
The conflict, initiated by Hamas’ cross-border attack on October 7 that resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths, has since claimed over 37,000 Palestinian lives. Most Gazans have lost at least one relative, with some losing dozens. Many have lost faith in the negotiations. “They negotiated a lot, to no avail,” said Etaf Abdel Bari, also sheltering in Deir al-Balah. “We are not a toy in their hands.”
The hostage issue
In Israel, the families of hostages held by Hamas and other militant groups are among the most desperate for a resolution. Hamas-led militants took around 250 people hostage during their attack, according to Israeli authorities, and a ceasefire deal in November freed about 100. Approximately 80 people remain captive, along with the remains of about 40 others.
The families and thousands of supporters gather weekly to demonstrate for a deal, viewing negotiations as the only viable way to free a significant number of hostages. Polls indicate that the Israeli public prioritizes freeing the hostages through a deal. However, some hostage families oppose any deal that would leave Hamas intact. Eitan Zeliger, director of the Tikva Forum, representing about 30 hostage families, advocates for increased military pressure on Hamas. “It is long and hard and hell for many hostage families,” he said. “But the families we are in touch with understand that there is no way to return the hostages without war.”
As the negotiations continue, the path to a ceasefire remains uncertain, with both sides grappling with significant challenges and demands.
