Fatchimetrie – Fragile agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza
Talks aimed at establishing a ceasefire and reaching a hostage deal that could end the war in Gaza were thrown into doubt Tuesday evening when Israel called Hamas’ response to the latest proposal a rejection, thus precipitating a blame game between the two parties.
Hamas had submitted its response to Qatari mediators, proposing amendments to the Israeli proposal, including a timetable for a permanent ceasefire and Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza, a source with knowledge of the talks told CNN earlier Tuesday.
Discussions are expected to continue through Qatari and Egyptian mediators in coordination with the United States to see if an agreement can be reached, the source added.
After submitting his response on Tuesday, Hamas spokesperson and politburo member Osama Hamdan told Lebanese broadcaster Al Mayadeen that the group was committed to reaching a ceasefire. “Our response clearly reaffirms our commitment to the ceasefire and withdrawal from Gaza, a commitment we have always respected,” he added.
However, in a potential sign of how Israel views the proposed amendments, an Israeli official, speaking to CNN analyst Barak Ravid, described Hamas’ response to the initial agreement as rejection.
“Israel received the response from Hamas. Hamas rejected the hostage deal proposal presented by President Biden in his speech,” the source said, according to Ravid’s post on X.
The Hamas leadership quickly responded by calling the allegation an attempt to evade the proposal.
“The response of Hamas and the Palestinian factions to the ceasefire proposal was responsible, serious and positive. The response is in line with the demands of our people and the resistance, and paves the way for an agreement,” said Izzat al-Rishq, member of the Hamas political bureau, Tuesday evening.
Tensions emerge at a delicate time as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently on a diplomatic tour of the region to secure agreement on the plan unveiled by President Biden eleven days ago.
The plan, drafted by Israel, has not been made public in its entirety. Approved by the United Nations Security Council on Monday, the plan calls for a six-week ceasefire – at the end of which Hamas would release the hostages and Israel would free the Palestinian prisoners – which would evolve towards a permanent cessation of hostilities through negotiations.
The White House has repeatedly emphasized that it is an Israeli plan and has repeatedly asserted that Israel accepted it, despite the objections of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu..
Mixed signals in Israel
Earlier on Tuesday, Israel made clear that it was ready to formally sign the plan – although in the same statement it hinted that it reserved the right to continue the fight.
The brief Israeli communication, attributed only to an Israeli government official, although widely understood to emanate from the prime minister’s office, began with an affirmation of Israel’s war aims before expressing support for the state-backed proposal. -United currently on the table.
“Israel will not end the war until it achieves all of its war objectives: destroying Hamas’ military and government capabilities, freeing all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel in the future “, did he declare.
“The proposal presented allows Israel to achieve these objectives and Israel will indeed do so,” the statement concluded. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s oft-repeated promise of total victory and the elimination of Hamas was not mentioned.
The Israeli leader is caught between the voices of many citizens of his country, who believe that a ceasefire agreement is the best way to guarantee the release of the 120 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, and those of its far-right coalition partners who are adamant about continuing the war.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir have both threatened to bring down the government if Netanyahu accepts the deal as it is currently worded.
In contrast, opposition figures like former war cabinet member Benny Gantz and opposition leader Yair Lapid are among those urging Netanyahu to embrace the U.S.-backed plan.
Hamas is also under pressure to accept the US-backed proposal, but said last week it feared Israel would not meet the plan’s second phase – a permanent end to fighting.
“Unless there is a clear position [from Israel] to prepare for a permanent ceasefire and a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, which could largely pave the way for the conclusion of the agreement…we cannot reach an agreement,” warned Hamas spokesperson and politburo member Osama Hamdan last week.
This story is developing and will be updated.