President Joe Biden has shared that he feels “optimistic” about reaching a Gaza Ceasefire Deal. He mentioned that “we are closer than we’ve ever been” after the latest discussions. To keep the momentum going, he’s sending his secretary of state to Israel to continue pushing for this agreement.
Iran might fight Israel because a Hamas leader was killed in Tehran Biden warned that “no-one in the region should take actions to undermine this process.”
While Hamas isn’t too sure about the chances of a deal, Israel hasn’t directly mentioned a ceasefire but did say it “appreciates the efforts of the US and the mediators” trying to convince Hamas to accept a hostage release deal.
In a joint statement, the US, Qatar, and Egypt said they had proposed a plan for a ceasefire and hostage release that “narrows the gaps” between Israel and Hamas. Israel has stated that any ceasefire would need to include the release of the remaining hostages taken to Gaza during the 7 October attack. Some hostages have already been released, while others are believed to have died in Gaza.
Families of hostages in Gaza hope talks will save their loved ones. Governments want talks to succeed so the war doesn’t get worse and spread.
Mediators reported that the past two days of discussions have been “serious, constructive and conducted in a positive atmosphere.” Technical teams will keep working on the details of the proposed deal over the next few days before senior officials meet again in Cairo to finalize the terms.
Talks are going well, but a peace agreement is still far away. President Biden thinks a deal is near, but others are not so sure.
A senior Hamas figure, who wasn’t part of the talks but was in contact with Qatari and Egyptian officials, told the Media that what was shared with Hamas today didn’t include a commitment to follow through on what was agreed upon on 2 July.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office emphasized the need for mediators to keep pressuring Hamas. Israel’s military launched a campaign in Gaza after the 7 October attack on southern Israel, where about 1,200 people were killed. Since then, more than 40,000 people have died in Gaza, according to its Hamas-run health ministry.
In November, a deal was reached where Hamas released 105 hostages in exchange for a week-long ceasefire and the release of 240 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Israel says 111 hostages are still being held, with 39 presumed dead.
The first phase of Biden’s proposed deal, based on Israel’s 27 May plan, would include a “full and complete ceasefire” lasting six weeks, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza, and the exchange of some hostages, like women, the elderly, and the sick or wounded, for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. The second phase would involve releasing all other living hostages and ending the conflict permanently. The third phase would focus on rebuilding Gaza and returning the remains of dead hostages.
Meanwhile, Israel’s military operation in Gaza continues, with new evacuation orders for blocks in northern Khan Younis and Deir Balah, shrinking the humanitarian zone even further. Israel said these areas have become dangerous for civilians because of “significant acts of terrorism” and the firing of rockets and mortars at Israel.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) expressed concern, saying: “Once again, fear spreads as families have nowhere to go. People remain trapped in an endless nightmare of death and destruction on a staggering scale.”
The urgency for a ceasefire is even greater now because the polio virus, spread through fecal matter, is circulating inside the Israeli-designated humanitarian zone in Gaza, where many displaced Palestinians have sought refuge from the fighting.
UN Secretary General António Guterres emphasized, “Let’s be clear: The ultimate vaccine for polio is peace and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.”
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