International mediators prepare for new ceasefire talks in Gaza to prevent wider conflict
International mediators are preparing for a new round of ceasefire negotiations this Thursday, aimed at ending the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and securing the release of dozens of hostages. This potential deal is seen as the best hope for averting a broader regional conflict.
The United States, Qatar and Egypt are set to meet with the Israeli delegation in Qatar, as the number of Palestinians killed in the 10-month conflict exceeded 40,000, according to local health officials. Hamas has not yet confirmed its participation, accusing Israel of adding new demands to a proposal previously supported by the United States and the international community, to which Hamas had tentatively agreed.
A ceasefire in Gaza could ease tensions in the region, with diplomats hoping it could persuade Iran’s and Lebanon’s Hezbollah to delay retaliation for recent high-profile attacks: the killing of a Hezbollah’s top commander during the Israeli airstrike in Beirut and the death of a senior Hamas leader in the Tehran explosion.
Mediators have been working for months on a three-phase plan in which Hamas would release dozens of hostages taken in the October 7 attack that sparked the conflict, in exchange for a lasting ceasefire, Israel withdrew from Gaza and released the Palestinians. prisoners held by Israel. The two sides initially agreed in principle with the plan announced by US President Joe Biden on May 31. However, Hamas proposed amendments, and Israel proposed clarification, leading to mutual accusations of new, unacceptable demands.
Hamas has rejected Israel’s latest demands, which include a permanent military presence along the Egypt-Gaza border and the Gaza dividing line to screen Palestinians returning home to crush the rebels. . Hamas spokesman Osama Hamdan told The Associated Press that the group was only interested in discussing the implementation of Biden’s proposal and not negotiating further its content.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied making new demands but repeatedly questioned whether the ceasefire was sustainable. He emphasized Israel’s commitment to achieving “complete victory” over Hamas and securing the release of all hostages.
The two sides are also at odds over the details of the prisoner exchange, including which Palestinian prisoners will be eligible for release and whether they will be deported.
The most challenging dispute involves the transition from the initial ceasefire phase, in which vulnerable groups such as women, children and other hostages would be released, to the second phase, in which Captured Israeli soldiers will be released and a permanent ceasefire will take effect. Hamas is concerned that Israel may continue the war after the release of the first batch of hostages, while Israel is concerned that Hamas may indefinitely prolong negotiations over the release of the remaining hostages.
Recent protests by Hamas include what it sees as new Israeli demands to maintain a presence along the Gaza-Egypt border and establish a dividing line in northern and southern Gaza. Israel denies these are new demands, saying they are necessary to prevent arms smuggling and ensure Palestinians returning to northern Gaza are not armed.
The conflict began on October 7 when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on heavily guarded border areas, causing significant casualties and destruction. The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that Israeli retaliatory attacks killed 40,005 Palestinians and injured 92,401, although the number of militants among the casualties was unknown. The attacks left widespread destruction and displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, many of whom have faced repeated evacuations and humanitarian conditions. disastrous.
Hamas has suffered heavy losses but has managed to regroup multiple times, even in heavily damaged areas previously targeted by Israeli forces. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has engaged in clashes with Israel along the border, seeing this as support for Hamas. Iran-backed groups across the region have targeted Israeli, US and international locations, prompting retaliatory measures.
Iran and Israel clashed directly for the first time in April after an Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria killed two Iranian generals. The recent murder of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was visiting Iran for the inauguration of the new president, has increased tensions, with many accusing the explosion of being carried out by Israel, although Israel has not confirm your involvement.
Despite these tensions, Iran and Hezbollah have expressed a desire to avoid all-out war, and a ceasefire in Gaza could open a potential path out of the violence.
