Discussions aimed at establishing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas are scheduled to resume on Sunday. As cautious optimism builds for a possible breakthrough, demonstrators are amplifying their demands on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
With cautious hopes for progress in the discussions surrounding a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, tens of thousands of people in Israel have taken to the streets to advocate for a resolution. The brother of one of the hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip stated, “They have no time left, and that is why there must be an agreement now,” as reported by the “Times of Israel.”
The protesters have once again called for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation and for new elections, accusing him of obstructing a potential deal and yielding to the demands of his right-wing coalition partners.
Israeli media reports indicate that negotiators plan to continue discussions regarding contentious issues in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday. The United States, Qatar, and Egypt are facilitating indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Concurrently, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is engaging with Israeli political leaders to advocate for an agreement.
Point of Contention: Permanent Control Over Gaza Border
Media reports reveal that one of the final impediments to an agreement is Israel’s demand for permanent control over the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. According to Israeli broadcaster Channel 12, a proposal from the U.S. aimed at resolving outstanding issues initially excluded this demand. Hamas accuses Israel of stalling negotiations by refusing to withdraw from the so-called Philadelphia Corridor, which runs along the border with Egypt in southern Gaza. Hamas is insisting on a complete withdrawal by Israel. Conversely, Prime Minister Netanyahu insists that the Israeli army must retain control of the Philadelphia Corridor even after a ceasefire, primarily to prevent weapon smuggling.
Another contentious issue is the return of residents who have fled from northern Gaza to the southern part of the sealed coastal area. Netanyahu is demanding that any agreement prevents armed Hamas fighters from moving back north. This issue is also omitted from the bridging proposal, as reported by Channel 12. If Israel does not exhibit flexibility on these concerns, sources familiar with the negotiations indicated to the broadcaster that there is little reason for optimism.
The Philadelphia Corridor: Hamas accuses Israel of blocking negotiations by refusing to withdraw from the so-called Philadelphia Corridor. Petra Leopoldine Winkler
Israel Cautiously Optimistic About Hostage Deal
Recently, Israel’s Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi remarked during a visit to the Philadelphia Corridor that the army could maintain control there without a permanent presence and with only sporadic operations. Meanwhile, the Israeli negotiating team has expressed cautious optimism regarding a ceasefire following the latest talks in Doha, the capital of Qatar. A deal based on the revised U.S. proposal includes “elements acceptable to Israel,” according to a statement from Netanyahu’s office. Another summit is planned in Cairo by the end of next week, during which negotiators are expected to address outstanding issues.
Al-Sisi: Region Could “Plunge Into a Relentless Cycle of Instability”
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warned that the conflict in the Gaza Strip threatens to drive the entire region into “a relentless cycle of instability.” He emphasized the urgent need to leverage the current negotiations to bring an end to the war, following his meeting with French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné in Cairo, as conveyed by a spokesperson. An agreement would prevent further bloodshed and shield the region from the repercussions of escalating violence, he asserted.
Iran and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon have vowed to exact revenge following the killing of Hamas foreign chief Ismail Haniya in Tehran and a Hezbollah military commander over two weeks ago. An attack was anticipated since then. Both entities are allied with Hamas and might refrain from larger, potentially coordinated attacks against Israel should a ceasefire be established in Gaza.
A representative from Hamas, which did not engage in the discussions in Doha, expressed caution regarding the outcome of the talks. In May, U.S. President Joe Biden proposed a three-phase plan to end the conflict. This plan initially involves a six-week unrestricted ceasefire during which a specified group of hostages would be released. In exchange, Palestinians held in Israeli prisons would also be freed. Following this, fighting would cease permanently, and the remaining hostages would be released. The final phase would focus on the reconstruction of Gaza.
Hamas Reportedly Still Holds 115 Hostages
Israeli estimates indicate that Hamas currently holds 115 hostages, 41 of whom Israel has declared dead. Additionally, other hostages whose fates are unknown are likely no longer alive. During recent nationwide protests in Israel, the father of one hostage remarked, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz: “Even if this is not a perfect deal, it is the only deal we have.”
Talks for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas are set to continue on Sunday. Amid cautious hopes for a breakthrough, demonstrators are increasing the pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In light of cautious hopes for a breakthrough in the negotiations on a ceasefire in the Gaza war, tens of thousands of people in Israel have demonstrated for the conclusion of an agreement. The hostages held by the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip after more than ten months of war have no time left; “and that is why there must be an agreement now,” quoted the brother of one of the abductees as saying in the Times of Israel.
The demonstrators again called for the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and new elections. They accuse the prime minister of sabotaging a deal and bowing to the demands of his right-wing coalition partners.
According to Israeli media reports, negotiators plan to continue talks on remaining contentious issues in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Sunday. The US, Qatar, and Egypt are mediating in the indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas. At the same time, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is speaking with the political leadership of the close ally in Israel today to push for an agreement.
Point of Contention: Permanent Control Over Gaza Border
According to a media report, Israel’s previous demand for permanent control of the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt is one of the last obstacles to an agreement. A proposal submitted by the USA to bridge the outstanding issues initially excluded this demand, reported the Israeli broadcaster Channel 12.
Hamas accuses Israel of blocking the negotiations by refusing to withdraw from the so-called Philadelphia Corridor, which runs along the border with Egypt in the south of Gaza. Hamas is demanding a complete Israeli withdrawal. On the other hand, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is demanding that the Israeli army continue to control the Philadelphia Corridor even after a ceasefire, primarily to prevent the smuggling of weapons.
Another point of contention is the question of the return of residents who have fled to the southern Gaza Strip back to the north of the sealed-off coastal area. Netanyahu is demanding that an agreement prevent armed Hamas fighters from returning to the north. This point is also not included in the bridging proposal, according to Channel 12. If Israel does not show flexibility on these issues, there is no reason for optimism, the broadcaster quoted sources familiar with the negotiations as saying.
The Philadelphia Corridor: Hamas accuses Israel of blocking negotiations by refusing to withdraw from the so-called Philadelphia Corridor. Petra Leopoldine Winkler
Israel Cautiously Optimistic About Hostage Deal
A few days ago, Israel’s Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said during a visit to the Philadelphia Corridor that the army could maintain control there without a permanent presence and with only sporadic advances. Meanwhile, the Israeli negotiating team has expressed cautious optimism about a ceasefire after the latest round of talks in the Qatari capital Doha.
A deal based on the updated US proposal contains “elements acceptable to Israel,” said a statement from Netanyahu’s office. Another summit is to take place in Cairo by the end of next week. Until then, the negotiators are to continue to negotiate the outstanding issues.
Al-Sisi: Region Could “Plunge Into a Relentless Cycle of Instability”
According to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the war in the Gaza Strip threatens to plunge the entire region into “a relentless cycle of instability.” It is therefore urgently necessary to use the current negotiations to end the war, he highlighted after a meeting with French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné in Cairo, according to a spokesman. An agreement would prevent further bloodshed and protect the region from the consequences of further escalation.
Iran and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon have vowed revenge after the killing of Hamas foreign chief Ismail Haniya in the Iranian capital Tehran and a Hezbollah military commander a good two weeks ago. An attack was anticipated ever since. Both are allied with Hamas and may hold back from a larger, possibly coordinated attack against Israel in the event of a ceasefire in Gaza.
A representative of Hamas, which did not participate in the talks in Doha, was cautious about the outcome of the talks. In May, US President Joe Biden presented a proposal to end the war in three phases: It initially envisaged an unrestricted ceasefire of six weeks. During this time, a certain group of hostages would be released. In return, Palestinians imprisoned in Israel would be released. Following this, the fighting would stop permanently, and the remaining hostages would be released. In a final phase, the reconstruction of Gaza would begin.
Hamas Is Said to Still Have 115 Hostages in Its Power
According to Israeli figures, Hamas still has 115 hostages in its power, of whom Israel has declared 41 dead. Additionally, other hostages whose fate is unknown are probably no longer alive. During the renewed nationwide mass protests in Israel, the father of one hostage expressed: “Even if this is not a perfect deal, it is the only deal there is.”
Implications of the Gaza Conflict
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has significant ramifications not only for Israel and Palestine but also for the broader Middle East region. Tensions are high, and the outcomes of the current negotiations could reshape the geopolitical landscape. Here are a few key implications:
- Regional Stability: The ceasefire negotiations present an opportunity to stabilize the region amid rising tensions and potential for broader conflict.
- Humanitarian Concerns: Initiatives for ceasefire are also tied to humanitarian aid efforts, which will be imperative for the relief of civilians affected by the war.
- International Relations: The involvement of international mediators like the US, Qatar, and Egypt illustrates the complex dynamics affecting global diplomatic relations within the region.
Hostage Negotiations
The situation regarding hostages held by Hamas complicates the negotiations. Here’s a quick overview:
| Type of Hostage | Count | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed Alive | 74 | Negotiating for release |
| Declared Dead | 41 | N/A |
| Unknown Fate | Unknown | Presumed Lost |
The urgency behind these negotiations highlights the human element intertwined with political maneuvers in times of conflict. The commitment to finding common ground despite the hurdles illustrates a path forward in an otherwise tumultuous environment.
