As the Gaza conflict enters its ninth month, the US has intensified its diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. President Joe Biden’s administration, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the helm, is actively lobbying Arab and Muslim nations to persuade Hamas to accept a three-stage ceasefire plan. The plan, which was announced last week, includes the release of remaining Israeli hostages and a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Despite this, Hamas remains steadfast in its demands for a complete Israeli withdrawal and a permanent ceasefire, as emphasized by Hamas Political Bureau Member Usame el-Hamdan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing internal opposition from far-right coalition members, such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who threaten to collapse the government if the ceasefire is accepted. Netanyahu himself has reservations about the plan, stating that a permanent ceasefire is unacceptable without the destruction of Hamas’ military capabilities and the safety of Israel from Gaza threats. The international community, particularly Qatar, continues to mediate between the conflicting parties, reflecting the US positions in the proposals given to Hamas. However, the situation is further complicated by Israel’s divided government and potential conflicts with Lebanon, as the Israeli military warns of readiness for war. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller has clarified that the ceasefire proposal is an Israeli initiative, not an American one, and that negotiations are ongoing to reopen the Rafah crossing.
The war in Gaza, which began with Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 last year, has already resulted in over 36,500 Palestinian casualties, and the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen.
Key points
- US intensifies efforts to broker Gaza ceasefire through diplomacy with Arab and Muslim nations.
- Hamas insists on a complete Israeli withdrawal and a permanent ceasefire as conditions for an agreement.
- Internal Israeli government opposition complicates acceptance of the US-proposed ceasefire plan.
