CAIRO: Talks resumed in Egypt on Saturday aimed at halting months of war in Gaza between Hamas and Israel that have triggered protests around the world. Mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the United States sat down with a Hamas delegation to hear the Palestinian resistance group’s response to an Israeli proposal that would halt fighting for 40 days and exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners, according to details released by Britain, AFP reported.
However, Israel has yet to send a delegation to Cairo, awaiting “positive movement” on the proposed framework before committing to negotiations, according to a top official’s statement to AFP. “Tough and long negotiations are expected for an actual deal,” the Israeli official cautioned.
The proposed plan aims to establish a ceasefire lasting 40 days and includes provisions for the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners. While details of the proposal have been released by Britain, negotiations are expected to be tough and prolonged, particularly concerning Hamas’s demand for a lasting ceasefire and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s intentions to launch a ground invasion of the city of Rafah.
Over 34,654 Palestinians Killed in Gaza
The possibility of an assault on Rafah has intensified international concern, with reports of escalating casualties and widespread destruction. Since October 7, Gaza has witnessed relentless Israeli bombardment. Since October 7, Israel’s relentless bombardment has killed at least 34,654 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the territory’s health ministry.
The United Nations reports that over 70 percent of Gaza’s residential buildings have been either completely or partially destroyed, highlighting the urgent need for extensive reconstruction efforts.
The World Health Organization says 1.2 million people, half of the Gaza Strip’s population, have sought refuge in Rafah. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned “a full-scale military operation in Rafah… could lead to a bloodbath.”
UN humanitarian office spokesman Jens Laerke said an assault on Rafah could “strike a disastrous blow” to agencies struggling to provide aid.
Amidst mounting pressure for a ceasefire, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that accepting a ceasefire deal should be straightforward for Hamas. Blinken underscored that the primary obstacle to a ceasefire currently lies with the Palestinian group’s decision. “The reality in this moment is the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas,” Blinken said.
Optimism About Gaza Truce Deal
As negotiations resume, there are cautious signs of progress, with reports indicating that mediators have reached agreement on several contentious points. However, Hamas officials maintain an open mind towards potential changes in Israel’s and the US’s positions while highlighting unresolved issues that need addressing.
Egypt’s Al-Qahera News, which is linked to the intelligence services, quoted an unidentified high-ranking source as saying “there is significant progress in the negotiations” and that the mediators have “reached an agreed-upon formula on most points of contention”.
Senior Hamas official Hossam Badran accused Netanyahu Friday of trying to undermine the latest truce proposal with his threats to keep fighting with or without a deal. Badran said Netanyahu’s insistence on attacking Rafah was calculated to “thwart any possibility of concluding an agreement”.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials have emphasized the importance of progress in negotiations regarding a possible hostage deal. The continued captivity of Israeli hostages in Gaza has intensified political tensions within Israel, with growing calls for the government to prioritize efforts to bring the hostages home. The top Israeli official, who spoke anonymously, said: “What we are looking at is an agreement over a framework for a possible hostage deal.”
US President Joe Biden faces mounting pressure domestically to leverage concessions from Netanyahu’s government regarding its conduct during the conflict. A letter signed by 88 congressmen from Biden’s Democratic Party expressed serious concern over Israel’s treatment of Palestinian civilians and urged Biden to consider halting arms sales unless there are significant changes in Israel’s behavior.
Despite the ongoing strife, there were moments of respite as Palestinians in Khan Younis gathered for a mass wedding under decorative lights, providing a temporary escape from the daily struggles. However, the threat of further violence loomed large as Israel’s military reported airstrikes on munitions sites in the area following the launch of a projectile towards Israel.
