Hamas has rejected new Israeli conditions put forward in Gaza ceasefire talks in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, casting further doubt on the chances of a breakthrough in the latest United States-backed effort to end the 10-month-old war. A Hamas delegation left Cairo on Sunday after meeting with mediators and receiving an update on the latest round of negotiations. Two Egyptian security sources told the Reuters news agency that the talks had ended without an agreement with neither Hamas nor Israel agreeing to compromises proposed by mediators.
Key sticking points in the talks mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar include an Israeli presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow 14.5km-long (9-mile-long) stretch of land along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt. In Cairo, Hamas’s delegation demanded that Israel be bound by what was agreed upon on July 2, in accordance with a plan laid out by US President Joe Biden and a UN Security Council resolution. While the group confirmed its readiness to implement that deal to achieve the interests of the Palestinian people and stop the destruction of the Gaza Strip, it stressed the need for any agreement to include a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Hamas also said any agreement should include the freedom of return for Gaza residents to their homes, relief and reconstruction, and a captive-prisoner exchange deal. Meanwhile, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority quoted officials as saying there is a small chance that the Cairo talks would lead to progress in the swap negotiations. However, there was no sign of any breakthrough on the issues dividing Israel and Hamas.
The Palestinian group blames Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the lack of progress during the talks. Netanyahu is accused of imposing new demands and not being serious about reaching a ceasefire. Netanyahu has insisted that the war in Gaza will continue until a total victory against Hamas has been won, even if a deal is reached. That objective has been rubbished by many top Israeli officials, including his own defense minister, and family members of captives have accused Netanyahu of abandoning their loved ones in Gaza.
Months of on-off talks have failed to produce an agreement to end Israel’s devastating military campaign in Gaza or free the remaining captives seized by Hamas in the group’s October 7 attacks on Israel. Continuing the war, in which Israel has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, will worsen the plight of Gaza’s 2.3 million people, nearly all of them homeless in tents or shelters among the ruins, with malnutrition rampant and disease spreading, and risk the lives of the remaining Israeli captives. UN peace envoy Tor Wennesland said in a social media post: “There is no time to lose.”
“Ongoing ceasefire/hostage release talks in Cairo are crucial to saving civilian lives, reducing regional tensions and enabling the UN, in cooperation with the PA [Palestinian Authority], to accelerate efforts to address the pressing needs of Gaza’s long-suffering population,” he said. Meanwhile, US General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, began an unannounced visit to the Middle East on Saturday to discuss ways to avoid any new escalation in tensions that could spiral into a broader conflict as the region braces for a threatened Iranian attack against Israel.
On Sunday, Israel and Hezbollah engaged in a heavy exchange of fire as part of a response by the Lebanese group to the Israeli assassination of its senior commander Fuad Shukr last month in a Beirut suburb. Hezbollah has said it would halt its attacks along the border if there is a ceasefire in Gaza. Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah since October 8 has ramped up recently, including Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon and into the Bekaa Valley and more Hezbollah rocket fire into northern Israel. Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies
### Uncertain Ceasefire Prospects
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has once again reached an impasse as Hamas rejects new Israeli conditions in ceasefire talks in Cairo. The refusal to compromise on key issues has cast further doubt on the prospects of a breakthrough in the latest United States-backed effort to end the 10-month-old war.
The recent departure of the Hamas delegation from Cairo after failed negotiations highlights the challenges in reaching a sustainable ceasefire agreement. Despite mediation from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, both Hamas and Israel have been unable to come to a consensus on crucial matters, including the Israeli presence in the Philadelphi Corridor and the terms of a potential ceasefire.
### Hamas’s Demands and Israeli Stance
Hamas has reiterated its insistence on upholding the terms agreed upon on July 2, as outlined in a plan by US President Joe Biden and a UN Security Council resolution. The group has emphasized the need for a permanent ceasefire, complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, freedom of return for Gaza residents, relief and reconstruction efforts, and a captive-prisoner exchange deal.
On the other hand, Israeli officials, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have been accused of imposing new demands and hindering progress in the negotiations. Netanyahu’s stance on continuing the conflict until a total victory against Hamas is achieved has raised concerns among top Israeli officials, with some criticizing the lack of seriousness in reaching a peaceful resolution.
### Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The prolonged conflict in Gaza has taken a devastating toll on the region’s population, with over 40,000 Palestinians killed and 2.3 million people left homeless. The dire situation in Gaza, characterized by widespread malnutrition, disease, and lack of access to basic necessities, underscores the urgent need for a ceasefire to prevent further humanitarian suffering.
UN peace envoy Tor Wennesland has emphasized the critical nature of ongoing ceasefire talks in Cairo, stressing the importance of saving civilian lives, reducing regional tensions, and addressing the pressing needs of Gaza’s long-suffering population. The failure to reach a resolution not only exacerbates the humanitarian crisis but also jeopardizes the lives of remaining Israeli captives held by Hamas.
### Regional Escalation and Security Concerns
Amidst the stalled ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, the region faces additional security challenges, including escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The recent exchange of fire between the two parties following the assassination of a senior Hezbollah commander underscores the potential for broader conflict in the region.
As US General CQ Brown visits the Middle East to discuss ways to avoid further escalation and potential Iranian threats against Israel loom, the need for a comprehensive ceasefire agreement in Gaza becomes even more urgent. The interconnected nature of regional conflicts and security threats necessitates a coordinated effort to de-escalate tensions and prioritize the safety and well-being of all parties involved.
In conclusion, the uncertainty surrounding ceasefire prospects in Gaza underscores the complex dynamics at play in the region and the challenges of reaching a sustainable peace agreement. As negotiations continue in Cairo and regional tensions remain high, the international community must redouble its efforts to facilitate dialogue, promote de-escalation, and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Only through collective action and genuine commitment to peace can the cycle of violence and suffering be broken, paving the way for a more stable and secure future for all.