As the Gaza conflict nears its eighth month, US President Joe Biden’s ceasefire proposal has encountered stiff resistance from both Israeli and Palestinian sides. Despite a concerted diplomatic push by the US, involving high-level visits by CIA Director Bill Burns to Qatar and National Security Adviser Brett McGurk to Egypt, neither Hamas nor the Israeli government has committed to the three-phase plan. The plan includes a ceasefire, a prisoner exchange, and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Hamas has demanded written guarantees for a permanent ceasefire, while Israel, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, insists on the dismantlement of Hamas’s military capabilities before any permanent ceasefire can be considered and is poised to demand American guarantees to continue fighting Hamas if the group violates the prisoner exchange agreement and has rejected the idea of Hamas governing Gaza and the withdrawal of its forces from densely populated areas of Gaza while the US seeks UN backing for the plan. Netanyahu’s right-wing allies have threatened to collapse the government if a ceasefire is accepted without meeting these conditions and the Israeli government is expected to demand American guarantees to continue fighting Hamas if the movement violates the prisoner exchange agreement. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, with recent Israeli military operations killing at least 21 Palestinians and displacing over a million. Over 100,000 people protested in Israel over the weekend, demanding an end to the war, and Israel continues to partially occupy Gaza and limit humanitarian aid. The future status of Hamas remains a critical point of contention, with Israel wanting the organization’s political and military operations destroyed before any long-term plans for Gaza or a broader Palestinian state can be discussed. The US is attempting to find a way to lift Israel out of international isolation and provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, but the success of these efforts remains to be seen.
Key points
- US President Joe Biden’s ceasefire proposal for Gaza has not been accepted by Israeli or Hamas leaders.
- The US is lobbying for support at the UN Security Council for its ceasefire proposal.
- Israeli military operations continue in Gaza, with recent strikes killing at least 21 Palestinians.
- Over 100,000 people protested in Israel demanding an end to the war.
- Israel demands dismantlement of Hamas’s military capabilities and governance before a ceasefire, while Hamas insists on a permanent ceasefire and complete Israeli withdrawal.
Contradictions👾Hamas demands written guarantees for a permanent ceasefire, while Israel wants to destroy Hamas’ political and military operations before ending the war.
