Hamas claims that the progress made in the Gaza ceasefire is fiction.
Hamas has dismissed reports of progress on an Israel-Gaza peace agreement as an illusion, following US President Joe Biden’s statement that he was “optimistic.“.
President Biden stated on Friday that “we are closer than we have ever been” after two days of US-sponsored negotiations in Qatar.
On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israeli negotiators indicated “cautious optimism” about reaching a deal.
However, a senior Hamas official earlier told the BBC that there had been no progress and that mediators were “selling illusions.”.
In response to an extraordinary strike on southern Israel on October 7, the Israeli military launched an operation in Gaza to crush Hamas, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
More than 40,000 people have died in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
A ceasefire arrangement reached in November saw Hamas release 105 hostages in exchange for a week-long truce and the release of approximately 240 Palestinian inmates in Israeli jails. Israel claims 111 hostages are still being held, 39 of whom are thought dead.
In a recent joint statement, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt said they have proposed a plan for a cease-fire and hostage release arrangement that “narrows the gaps” between Israel and Hamas.
Israel has stated that any ceasefire agreement would entail the release of the other hostages. Some have already been released, and others are said to have perished in Gaza.
Relatives of captives still in Gaza describe the present negotiations as their “last chance” to bring some of them out alive.
After ten months of combat and thousands of losses, there is intense pressure for a breakthrough.
A wider regional confrontation is a distinct possibility if talks between Israel and Hamas collapse altogether, which all parties involved are concerned about.
The mediators stated that the ceasefire talks had been “serious, constructive, and conducted in a positive atmosphere” over the last two days.
Technical teams are scheduled to continue working on the details of how to execute the suggested terms in the coming days before top government officials reconvene in Cairo in the hopes of reaching an agreement on the terms set forth in Qatar.
While the mediators’ declaration is undoubtedly a welcome development, there is still a long way to go before a cease-fire is reached.
This is not the first time Mr. Biden has stated that he believes a deal is close, and not everyone shares his cautious confidence.
Neither Hamas nor the Israeli administration have been as optimistic in their reactions.
Israel claims that its viewpoint and essential principles have remained unaltered and are “well-known”. It accused Hamas of refusing to negotiate an agreement for the release of the hostages.
Above all, Israelis want the remaining hostages released, but many doubt this is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s principal desire. He has reiterated that his government’s top objective is to achieve a “total victory” over Hamas.
Meanwhile, Hamas’ new head, Yaya Sinwar, has shown few signs of compromise.
When asked about President Biden’s statement, a senior Hamas official told the BBC: “What we have received from the mediators is very disappointing.” There’s been no progress.”
Hamas is said to have abandoned its desire for a permanent truce in favour of Mr Biden’s suggestion for a six-week break during which an end to the war might be negotiated.
Mr Biden’s cease-fire proposal also called for the evacuation of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, the staggered release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and the repatriation of slain hostages’ bodies.
The “bridging proposal” put up by US, Egyptian, and Qatari negotiators will be the focus of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s negotiations in the area, and it should serve as the foundation for the next talks in Cairo, which are expected to include all parties, including Hamas.
That plan apparently “closes the remaining gaps” between the two parties’ viewpoints, perhaps allowing for “rapid implementation of the agreement.”
It may appear uncomplicated, but there are significant barriers to overcome, and there is still no confidence between senior Israeli and Hamas officials.
Others are dragging them to the table, possibly against their will, out of dread of what might happen if they fail.
Hamas and its allies believe the US administration is trying to buy more time.
If Iran attacks Israel, it will appear like Hamas has sabotaged the discussions.
Hamas is open about its desire for Iran and Hezbollah to strike Israel and escalate the conflict into a regional war.
They feel that a significant blow to Israel will weaken Mr Netanyahu and force him to accept a deal.
For his part, Mr. Biden emphasized that “no one in the region should take actions to undermine this process.”
Meanwhile, Israel’s military offensive in Gaza continues, with an air attack early Saturday morning killing 15 Palestinians in the al-Zawaida neighborhood of central Gaza, according to the
Palestinian civil defense authority, a rescue organization.
According to spokesman Mahmud Bassal, nine children and three women died.
Israel hasn’t responded directly. The Israel Defense Forces announced on Saturday morning that they had “eliminated a number of terrorists” in central Gaza, including one who had fired at Israeli forces operating in the area.
The Israeli military has issued new evacuation orders for many blocks in northern Khan Younis and Deir Balah, substantially reducing the humanitarian zone where thousands of displaced Palestinians have taken safety from fighting.
Israel stated that the blocks had become dangerous for residents “due to significant acts of terrorism” and the firing of rockets and mortars into Israel.
The UN organization for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) stated: “Once again, fear spreads as families have nowhere to go.”
The spread of the polio virus, which can be transmitted by feces, is now occurring within the Israeli-designated humanitarian zone in Gaza, emphasizing the necessity for a ceasefire agreement.
“Let’s be clear: The ultimate vaccine for polio is peace and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire,” stated UN Secretary General António Guterres.
