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Gaza Ceasefire Progress: Hamas Says It’s an Illusion Amid Ongoing Talks

So, there has been a lot of talks about Gaza Ceasefire. Hamas is saying that talks about a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza aren’t going anywhere, even though US President Joe Biden said he was feeling positive about it. After two days of talks in Qatar backed by the US, President Biden said things were looking better than before. But a top Hamas official told the media that there hasn’t been any progress, and the mediators are just creating false hopes.

Gaza CeasefireIsrael has acknowledged the efforts by the US and other mediators to convince Hamas to agree to a deal to release hostages. The Israeli military started its operation in Gaza to defeat Hamas after a shocking attack on southern Israel on October 7, which killed around 1,200 people and led to 251 being taken hostage. Since then, more than 40,000 people have died in Gaza, according to the local health ministry run by Hamas.

In November, there was a deal where Hamas released 105 hostages in exchange for a week-long ceasefire and the release of about 240 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Israel says that 111 hostages are still being held, with 39 presumed dead.

The US, Qatar, and Egypt have recently proposed a new ceasefire and hostage release deal that they say could help bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas. Israel insists that any ceasefire must include the release of the remaining hostages. Some hostages have been released, but others are thought to have died in Gaza.

Families of hostages are calling the current talks the “last chance” to save their loved ones. With the war going on for ten months and many casualties, there’s a lot of pressure to reach a deal. There’s also a fear that if talks between Israel and Hamas fail completely, the conflict could spread to other parts of the region.

Mediators have described the last two days of talks as “serious, constructive, and positive.” Technical teams are expected to keep working on the details in the coming days before top government officials meet again in Cairo, hoping to finalize an agreement based on the terms discussed in Doha. Even though the mediators are hopeful, there’s still a long way to go before a ceasefire is agreed upon.

This isn’t the first time President Biden has said he thought a deal was close, but not everyone shares his optimism. Both Hamas and the Israeli government are not as hopeful. Israel says its main principles are unchanged and well-known, accusing Hamas of refusing to agree to a deal for the release of hostages.

Israelis are mainly focused on getting the remaining hostages back, but some are doubtful whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shares that priority, as he insists that his government’s main goal is to achieve a “total victory” over Hamas. On the other side, Hamas’s new leader, Yahya Sinwar, doesn’t seem ready to compromise.

When asked about President Biden’s statement, the senior Hamas official said they were disappointed with what they’ve heard from the mediators, stating that there has been no progress. It’s believed that Hamas has dropped its demand for a permanent ceasefire in favor of Biden’s proposal for a six-week pause to try and end the war. Gaza Ceasefire

Biden’s proposal also included the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza, the gradual release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and the return of the remains of dead hostages. This “bridging proposal” put forward by the US, Egypt, and Qatar will be the basis for US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s negotiations in the region and the next round of talks in Cairo, where all parties, including Hamas, are expected to attend.

Although the proposal might seem straightforward, there are still significant obstacles, and there’s no trust between the senior figures in Israel and Hamas. They’re being pushed to negotiate, maybe against their wishes, by others who fear what might happen if the talks fail.

Hamas and its allies believe that the US is trying to buy more time. If Iran attacks Israel, it will look like Hamas was the one that ruined the negotiations. Hamas isn’t hiding its wish for Iran and Hezbollah to attack Israel and for the conflict to turn into a regional war. They believe that a strong hit to Israel could weaken Netanyahu and force him to accept a deal.

For his part, Biden has warned that no one in the region should do anything to undermine the process. Meanwhile, Israel’s military operation in Gaza continues, with an air strike on Saturday morning killing 15 people in central Gaza, including nine children and three women, according to Palestinian authorities. Israel hasn’t commented directly but said it “eliminated a number of terrorists” in central Gaza, including one who fired at Israeli forces.

The Israeli military has also issued new evacuation orders for several blocks in northern Khan Younis and Deir Balah, further reducing the humanitarian zone where thousands of displaced Palestinians have sought refuge. Israel said these blocks have become dangerous for civilians because of terrorist activities and rocket fire toward Israel.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said, “Once again, fear spreads as families have nowhere to go.” Adding to the need for a ceasefire, the polio virus, which can spread through fecal matter, is now circulating in the Israeli-designated humanitarian zone in Gaza. UN Secretary General António Guterres said, “Let’s be clear: The ultimate vaccine for polio is peace and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.”

Read More: Newborn Twins Killed in Gaza During Air Strike: Israeli Attacks In Gaza

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Gaza Ceasefire Progress: Hamas Says It’s an Illusion Amid Ongoing Talks
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  1. Pingback: Bus Crash In Iran Kills 28 Pakistani Pilgrims: Faulty Brakes To Blame - OnFrontMedia

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