Hamas has largely agreed to a proposition that would liberate numerous Israeli captives in return for Palestinian detainees, alongside putting a temporary hold on the ongoing seven-month conflict with Israel in Gaza. Despite this, Israel has communicated its refusal to accept the deal as is, intending to maintain its military campaign in Rafah. As per an announcement on Monday made on Hamas’s Telegram channel, the Doha-based political leader of the Palestinian militant group, Ismail Haniyeh, relayed to the Qatari prime minister and the intelligence head of Egypt that Hamas endorsed their suggestion for a ceasefire.
Whilst Hamas did not disclose the specifics of the agreement, Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu stated that the agreed terms were significantly short of what Israel required. He verified that the Rafah military operation is set to persist, with reports of Monday evening air strikes. However, Netanyahu also confirmed that a delegation from Israel would be sent to progress the negotiations for the ceasefire agreement.
An insight from a diplomat close to the discussions displayed the draft proposal endorsed by Hamas as being closely aligned to the one introduced by mediators roughly a fortnight before. The plan, facilitated by Qatar, Egypt and the USA, recommends a six-week armistice during which Hamas would liberate 33 captives – consisting of women, children, the elderly and injured individuals. This is anticipated to be succeeded by a sustained ceasefire, termed as “restoring a sustainable calm”, where the remaining captives would be set free. Israeli officials believe Hamas has 132 captives, 37 of whom they presume to be deceased.
“Hamas has effectively challenged Netanyahu and now the decision lies with him,” expressed the diplomat. Khalil al-Hayya, a leading individual in Hamas in Gaza, stated in a television interview that the accepted offer comprised of a confirmation of a “direct announcement of a permanent halt to military and belligerent operations” in its subsequent stage. “We toned down our demands to pave the way for the end of this brutal warfare and for a genuine prisoner swap,” he commented. He also stated there was no particular timeline tied to the proposal for approval from Israel.
Following Israel’s directive to evacuate eastern Rafah, a border town at the southernmost part of Gaza and safe haven for over a million displaced Palestinians, Hamas made an announcement. This comes as a response to rising tension between the two territories in their ongoing conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office announced over the weekend that Israeli forces would invade Rafah to eliminate any remaining Hamas battalions, irrespective of any temporary breaks for hostage release.
Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, a member of the far-right coalition in alliance with Netanyahu, dismissed Hamas’s latest manoeuvre on X. He asserted that the only solution was to commandeer Rafah immediately, to intensify military pressure while relentlessly pounding Hamas until it has been thoroughly defeated.
Following Hamas’s agreement to a ceasefire, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed satisfaction. He has now called on Israel to reciprocate and agree to the ceasefire. Brokering efforts involving Israel and Hamas for a second succession of hostage-prisoner exchanges have included Egypt, Qatar, and the US. This follows a previous exchange from last November, where more than 100 captives in Gaza were released in a swap deal for numerous Palestinian detainees.
Negotiations have been on hold for several months as Hamas insisted that a full Israeli military withdraw from Gaza and a sustained ceasefire must conclude any agreement. Despite mounting pressure from right-wing coalition members, Netanyahu has consistently dismissed Hamas’s stipulations.
Hopes were high for a potential breakthrough about a week ago when Israel seemingly eased its terms for settlement. However, hope waned after Netanyahu affirmed that the assault on Rafah would proceed, regardless of any hostage exchange, and Hamas continued to demand a lasting ceasefire.
Israeli families with captive relatives, who took to a main highway in Tel Aviv to rally support for an agreement, conveyed to the press that they are guardedly hopeful about a real breakthrough.
Amidst a frenzy of diplomacy, CIA Director Bill Burns journeyed to Cairo, then Qatar, to engage in talks with Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. The Qatari capital is also home to Hamas’s political office. There are plans for Burns to visit Israel this week as the US intensifies its efforts for a hostage exchange and to dissuade Israel from launching an attack on Rafah. – Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2024.
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