PALESTINIAN freedom fighter group Hamas said it was ready to implement an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip based on a plan announced by US President Joe Biden earlier this year.
As reported by Anadolu, Thursday (12/9), Qatar, which is one of the mediators of the negotiations, rejected any new conditions added to the agreement in a statement. This was after a meeting between its negotiating team led by Khalil al-Hayya, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel in the Qatari capital, Doha.
In May, Biden said Israel had proposed a three-phase deal that would end hostilities in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held in the coastal enclave. The plan includes a ceasefire, a hostage-prisoner exchange and reconstruction of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted on maintaining a military presence along the Philadelphia Corridor, arguing that it is a lifeline for Hamas to rearm its forces. The corridor, a demilitarized zone along Egypt’s border with Gaza, has become a critical sticking point in negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
For months, the U.S., Qatar and Egypt have been trying to reach a deal between Israel and Hamas to secure a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. But mediation efforts have stalled over Netanyahu’s refusal to meet Hamas’ demands for an end to the fighting.
Israel has continued its brutal assault on Gaza since its initial offensive in October despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire. Nearly 41,100 people, mostly women and children, have been killed and more than 95,000 injured, according to local health authorities.
Israel’s offensive has displaced nearly the entire population of the territory amid an ongoing blockade that has led to shortages of food, clean water and medicine. Israel faces charges of genocide over its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice. (I-2)
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What are the key components of the US-backed ceasefire proposal that Hamas has agreed to?
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Hamas Agrees to US Ceasefire Proposal: A Step Towards Peace in Gaza
In a significant development, Hamas, the Palestinian freedom fighter group, has agreed to implement an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip based on a plan announced by US President Joe Biden earlier this year. This comes after months of intense negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt.
The US-backed ceasefire proposal, first announced in May, includes a three-phase deal that aims to end hostilities in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held in the coastal enclave. The plan consists of a ceasefire, a hostage-prisoner exchange, and the reconstruction of Gaza [[3]]. According to reports, the deal lays out a timetable for the release of Israeli captives in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israel’s troops from the territory [[3]].
However, the negotiations have been stalled due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to meet Hamas’ demands for an end to the fighting. Netanyahu has insisted on maintaining a military presence along the Philadelphia Corridor, a demilitarized zone along Egypt’s border with Gaza, citing concerns that it would allow Hamas to rearm its forces [[1]].
Despite these challenges, the mediation efforts have continued, with Qatar playing a crucial role in facilitating negotiations between Israel and Hamas. In a recent meeting between Qatar, Egypt, and Hamas, Qatar rejected any new conditions added to the agreement, paving the way for a potential breakthrough in the talks [[2]].
The US has been actively involved in brokering a deal between Israel and Hamas, with the Biden administration appearing close to a ceasefire deal that would halt major fighting in Gaza, release some Israeli hostages, and surge humanitarian aid [[1]]. The deal would also see Hamas release 105 of the hostages during a week-long ceasefire in return for some 240 Palestinian prisoners in Israel [[2]].
The agreement is a significant step towards peace in Gaza, which has been plagued by conflict and humanitarian crises for years. The international community has been working tirelessly to find a solution to the crisis, and the Hamas agreement to the US ceasefire proposal brings new hope for a resolution.
As the negotiations continue, it is essential for all parties involved to remain committed to finding a peaceful solution that addresses the concerns of both Israel and Hamas. The implementation of the ceasefire agreement would not only bring relief to the people of Gaza but also pave the way for a more comprehensive and lasting peace in the region.
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What are the key components of the US-backed ceasefire proposal that Hamas has agreed to implement in Gaza?
Hamas Agrees to US Ceasefire Proposal: A Step Towards Peace in Gaza
In a significant development, Hamas, the Palestinian freedom fighter group, has agreed to implement an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip based on a plan announced by US President Joe Biden earlier this year. This comes after months of intense negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt.
The US-Backed Ceasefire Proposal
The US-backed ceasefire proposal, first announced in May, includes a three-phase deal that aims to end hostilities in Gaza and secure the release of hostages held in the coastal enclave. The plan consists of a ceasefire, a hostage-prisoner exchange, and the reconstruction of Gaza [[3]]. According to reports, the deal lays out a timetable for the release of Israeli captives in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israel’s troops from the territory [[3]].
Challenges in Negotiations
However, the negotiations have been stalled due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to meet Hamas’ demands for an end to the fighting. Netanyahu has insisted on maintaining a military presence along the Philadelphia Corridor, a demilitarized zone along Egypt’s border with Gaza, citing concerns that it would allow Hamas to rearm its forces [[1]].
Qatar’s Crucial Role in Mediation
Despite these challenges, the mediation efforts have continued, with Qatar playing a crucial role in facilitating negotiations between Israel and Hamas. In a recent meeting between Qatar, Egypt, and Hamas, Qatar rejected any new conditions added to the agreement, paving the way for a potential breakthrough in the talks