In a fresh attempt to broker peace and reach a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, an international team spearheaded by the U.S has been able to secure assent from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken had arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday for diplomatic meetings; this visit is Blinken’s ninth trip to Israel since the war ensued in October 2023.
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Possibly the “Last Opportunity”
The U.S diplomat, in his 24-hour visit held talks with various Israeli officials, including the Prime Minister and the President. He insisted on how this is an important and possibly the “last opportunity” to reach a ceasefire for the return of the Israeli hostages and to ensure enduring peace in the volatile region. Blinken’s meeting with Yoav Gallant- Israel’s Defense Minister- were met with protestors entreating for Blinken’s help to bring back the hostages.
President Joe Biden has been insistent about a ceasefire deal, and Blinken’s urgency on reaching one soon, reverberates the international community’s apprehension about the further escalation of the conflict to a full- scale war. The tensions had heightened further when Israel admitted assassinating Lebanese Hezbollah’s commander Fuad Shukr and after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh died in a suspected Israeli attack. Blinken also alluded to the expected retaliation from Iran; he declared that all attempts will be made to ensure that the current process of negotiations are not threatened.
Egypt and Qatar have also been mediating negotiations between the two groups. The next round of talks is set to take place in Cairo in a few days. Though the Israeli PM’s office has somewhat confirmed Blinken’s statement regarding Tel Aviv’s assent to the “bridging proposal”, the U.S has been overly optimistic about Ceasefire prospects on previous occasions.
Lack of direct participation from Hamas
The two parties have not been entirely welcoming of the new deal. Hamas has refused to participate directly in the fresh round of talks, but is being updated by mediators (Qatar and Egypt). Though willing to reach a Ceasefire, Hamas has stated that it does not feel the need to reach a new deal as they had already agreed to one on 2nd July. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of not being flexible enough to broker a truce.
The “bridging proposal” is set to run in three phases. The first phase will witness the exchange of some Israeli hostages for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from certain parts of Gaza. The second phase will include a “permanent” cease on all violence and return of all Israeli hostages. The restoration plans for Gaza and the return of the remains of deceased hostages will be initiated in the final phase.
Internal discord in Israel
Israel has reportedly been suffering from disagreement between Netanyahu and some of his officials over the Gaza- Egypt border called the Philadelphi Corridor. While Netanyahu has refused to remove the Israeli forces from that region, Yoav Gallant has stated that the area could be monitored through mere surveillance. Hamas, on the other hand, has also stated that the continued presence of Israel there implies perpetuation of the Israeli occupation.
Moreover, despite the attempts to diffuse the situation, hostilities have been engaged in. Israel claims that the small explosion that resulted in one casualty on Sunday was an attack from Hamas. Israel and Hezbollah have clashed against each other regularly in the last week. Gaza has also reported casualties in several attacks from Israel.
