In a race against time, mediators are striving to clinch a ceasefire in Gaza and negotiate a hostage release, spurred on by optimistic declarations from a Qatari official who hinted that a deal could be within grasp “very soon.” The efforts, a collaborative initiative involving Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, have ramped up as the clock ticks down following Hamas’ devastating attack on Israel on October 7, 2023—an assault that has been labeled the deadliest in Israel’s history.
During a phone call yesterday, US President Joe Biden and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi emphasized that both Israel and Hamas must demonstrate a willingness to compromise if they are to find common ground, according to a statement from Sisi’s office. It’s a delicate dance, with both sides balancing on the tightrope of diplomacy.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened with top security officials late last night to explore the intricacies of the potential deal. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken weighed in, stating that the “ball is now in Hamas’s court,” suggesting that the direction of these negotiations rests heavily on Hamas’s response. An Israeli source, close to the discussions taking place in Doha, confirmed that dialogue is actively progressing, igniting a flicker of hope amidst the turmoil.
Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, Majed al-Ansari, shared encouraging news, asserting that negotiations are in their “final stages,” with mediators expressing optimism that an agreement could be finalized “very soon.” On the flip side, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar conveyed a sense of goodwill, stating there exists a “true willingness from our side to reach an agreement.”
After many months of faltering attempts to bring an end to the deadliest conflict Gaza has ever seen, this recent progress comes as anticipation fills the air, notably with Donald Trump set to be inaugurated as US president in just days. The backdrop to these negotiations is stark; Hamas’s attacks on October 7 claimed 1,210 lives, predominantly civilians, while resulting in the abduction of 251 individuals, of whom 94 remain unaccounted for in Gaza. Disturbingly, Israeli military reports claim that 34 of those hostages are already deceased.
The ongoing conflict has decimated Gaza, with the health ministry in the territory estimating that Israeli military actions have led to a staggering casualty count of 46,707, again, mostly innocent civilians, as acknowledged by the United Nations. Amidst this backdrop, the urgency for resolution echoes louder each day.
Displaced families, wracked with uncertainty and grief, are clamoring for the conclusion of negotiations, their lives hanging in the balance. “Time is of the essence,” pleaded Gil Dickmann, cousin of former hostage Carmel Gat, whose body was recovered last September. “Hostages who are alive will end up dead. Hostages who are dead might be lost,” he lamented to AFP. It’s a heart-wrenching reality that underscores the desperation for action.
On the ground in Gaza, Umm Ibrahim Abu Sultan, who fled from Gaza City to Khan Younis with her children, echoed the sentiment of urgency. She confided, “I have lost everything in this war. I am anxiously awaiting the truce.” With every passing moment, hope hangs by a thread.
The potential framework for the first phase of the agreement indicates that Israel would release 33 Israeli hostages, while two Palestinian sources close to Hamas indicated that approximately 1,000 Palestinian prisoners could be released in exchange. The dynamics suggest that initial releases could occur in batches, prioritizing children and women—a small but significant concession in these dire times.
While talks are focused on an initial stage of negotiation, discussions about a second phase would emerge after the truce’s sixteenth day, according to Israeli officials. It hints at a long, arduous journey ahead, with many hurdles still to clear.
This potential deal also stipulates that Israel would retain a buffer zone during this initial phase. Hamas has expressed a desire for a “clear and comprehensive agreement,” signaling its intention to involve other Palestinian factions in this conversation.
The negotiations, however, have not been without their share of contention. Disagreements regarding the permanence of any ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the scale of humanitarian aid for the beleaguered Palestinian territory remain major sticking points. As the UN faces mounting challenges, including an impending Israeli ban on its activities, it has pledged to continue providing essential assistance.
Netanyahu maintains a firm stance against a full withdrawal from Gaza, and Blinken urged for a reformed Palestinian Authority that could unify Gaza and the West Bank, embodying a path toward fostering an independent Palestinian state. Meanwhile, he frames the potential normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia as a key incentive for peace in the region.
On the Palestinian front, Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, addressing the developments from Oslo, noted that the fresh impetus for a ceasefire exposes how international pressure on Israel “does pay off.” While the world watches with bated breath, Israeli forces have continued their bombardment, deepening the plight of civilians reeling from the onslaught. Gaza’s civil defense agency reports that recent Israeli strikes claimed at least 24 more lives, including a young boy, a stark reminder of the human toll of conflict.
As the negotiations teeter on the edge of a breakthrough, the collective hope for a ceasefire reverberates through the hearts of many. Can a lasting peace be achieved amidst the chaos? Only time will tell.
Report By Axadle
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
