Hamas and Israel butt heads over proposed cease-fire deal

Palestinian militant group Hamas has submitted amendments to the proposed deal for a ceasefire in Gaza. The response was given to mediators in Qatar and Egypt, and while it is not an outright acceptance to cease all hostilities, it keeps them open to further negotiation. 

Israel however has had a different reaction to the deal, viewing the proposed amendments as nothing short of a rejection. Hamas officials have reiterated that they have only brought forward longstanding demands not included in the current treaty.

This will be an important period for the eight month war going forward as Israel deals with one other battlefront. An Israeli drone strike managed to kill four individuals in southern Lebanon. One of the deceased was reported by Reuters as a senior field commander for Hezbollah, Abu Taleb, while the other three were identified to be fighters for the same.

The proposal and Hamas’ considerations

Hamas officials have expressed doubts about whether Israel will honor the terms of the proposed ceasefire agreement, especially the clauses concerning a permanent cessation of hostilities and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza in exchange for the militant group releasing all the hostages.

The proposal, proposed by US President Joe Biden last month, outlines a three-phase plan starting with an initial six-week truce and the release of some hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. During this phase, Israeli forces would withdraw from populated areas, allowing Palestinian civilians to return to their homes. The second phase aims to establish a permanent end to hostilities, release all remaining hostages, and ensure a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The third phase would kick off a significant multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken continued to press Hamas to accept the proposal, highlighting the UN Security Council’s vote in favor of the plan as proof of international support.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given mixed messages about the ceasefire deal, asserting that Israel will not stop its efforts until Hamas is destroyed, despite the US claiming that Israel has accepted the proposal.

Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar has asserted that he believes he has gained the upper hand over Israel and that the rising civilian death toll in Gaza would benefit the militant group, as reported by the The Wall Street Journal.

Over the course of several months, Sinwar communicated through numerous messages to Hamas leaders and mediators, expressing his disinterest in pursuing a truce with Israel. He believed that the piling civilian casualties would be in favor of Hamas rather than halting the fighting.

Latest developments

Momentum has continued to build towards the ceasefire deal, however, one of the major obstructions remains the terms of the permanent ceasefire which Hamas considers mandatory. Qatari mediators are optimistic that Blinken, expected to arrive in Doha today, will bring assurances they can convey to Hamas on this matter, according to Javaid.

However, he noted that it will pose a challenge because Israel has maintained its stance that it will not cease the conflict without eliminating Hamas, casting doubt on the likelihood of such a ceasefire.

In the midst of this, according to a security firm, a merchant vessel sent out a distress signal after being attacked in the Red Sea near Yemen, seemingly by the Houthi group. The incident occurred approximately 68 nautical miles (126 km) southwest of the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeidah, as reported by maritime security company Ambrey. The company implied that the attack fits the modus operandi of Houthi rebels without giving any further details. 

Since November, the Houthis have carried out numerous drone and missile assaults on vessels linked to Israel in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. They claim these attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s conflict with Gaza.