Hamas Presents Counteroffer to Israel-Backed Ceasefire Proposal Amid Gaza Conflict
In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the armed group has presented a counteroffer to a ceasefire proposal backed by Israel and the US. The proposal includes a series of demands, such as exchanging hostages for Palestinian prisoners and rebuilding Gaza. However, it is uncertain whether Israel’s prime minister will find the offer acceptable, as he has called for “total victory” in Gaza. The question now is whether a middle ground can be reached to move the peace process forward.
Details of the ceasefire proposal backed by Israel and the US, and mediated by Qatar and Egypt, have not been made public. However, a draft of the Hamas document seen by Reuters outlines the following suggestions:
1. A 45-day pause in fighting during which Israeli women hostages, males under 19, the elderly, and the sick would be exchanged for Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails. Israeli forces would also withdraw from populated areas of Gaza, and the reconstruction of hospitals and refugee camps would begin.
2. A second phase would involve the exchange of remaining male Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and Israeli forces would completely leave Gaza.
3. In the third and final phase, both sides would exchange remains and bodies.
The deal would also involve an increase in deliveries of food and other aid to Gaza. By the end of the 135-day pause in fighting, Hamas believes that negotiations to end the war would have concluded.
The response to the proposal from US President Joe Biden was lukewarm, as he described it as “a little over the top.” Secretary of State Anthony Blinken acknowledged that there is still “a lot of work to be done” to reach a permanent ceasefire but emphasized the importance of achieving lasting peace.
Previous truces have seen some success in hostage exchanges, with around 100 hostages freed in a swap with 240 Palestinian prisoners during a one-week truce in November. However, the conflict has taken a heavy toll, with approximately 1,200 people killed during Hamas attacks on southern Israel in October last year. Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by many Western governments, including the UK and US.
While some of the Hamas demands may not be feasible, Israeli authorities are currently debating whether to reject the proposal or request different conditions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains that the goal is “total victory,” but Israeli officials acknowledge that achieving this is still a long way off, and some even argue that it is not achievable militarily.
Hamas officials have expressed their willingness to negotiate and have presented a “positive vision” in response to the Israel-backed proposal. They have requested amendments related to the rebuilding of Gaza and the return of its residents to their homes.
The US, along with its Arab partners, sees this negotiation process as the best way forward. Their aim is to achieve a sustained humanitarian pause that could lead to a ceasefire and provide breathing space to focus on a more comprehensive plan for the post-war period. Secretary Blinken describes this path as “incredibly powerful” and believes it could pave the way for the rebuilding of Gaza, a reformed Palestinian Authority, a Palestinian state, and the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
However, the Israeli military remains focused on targeting Hamas brigades and hunting down Hamas leaders. Prime Minister Netanyahu faces pressure from right-wing allies who threaten to bring down his government if he makes any concessions.
The situation is further complicated by the growing anxiety among Israeli families of hostages, particularly after learning that a fifth of the remaining hostages in Gaza are deceased. The US and its Arab allies are concerned about the escalating risks of a wider regional conflict, while international organizations are sounding the alarm about the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
With many clocks ticking loudly, it remains to be seen whether a middle ground can be reached that satisfies both sides and paves the way for a lasting peace in the region.