Netanyahu Rejects Hamas Ceasefire Terms, Pursues ‘Total Victory’ in Gaza
In a recent development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the proposed ceasefire terms put forward by Hamas. Instead, he is determined to achieve “total victory” in Gaza within a matter of months. This rejection comes after Hamas laid out a series of demands in response to an Israel-backed ceasefire proposal.
Netanyahu dismissed the negotiations with Hamas, stating that they were “not going anywhere” and described their terms as “bizarre”. He firmly believes that there is no solution other than a complete and final victory. According to him, if Hamas continues to survive in Gaza, it is only a matter of time until another massacre occurs.
The response from Israeli officials clearly indicates that they view Hamas’s attempt to end the war on its terms as utterly unacceptable. On the other hand, a senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, dismissed Netanyahu’s remarks as “political bravado” and suggested that he intends to continue pursuing the conflict in the region.
Despite this setback, negotiations are still expected to take place in Cairo on Thursday, mediated by Egypt and Qatar. Egypt has called on all parties to show flexibility in order to reach a calm agreement. While Netanyahu’s rejection of the ceasefire plan is in stark contrast to Qatar’s positive response, it remains to be seen how these negotiations will unfold.
Hamas’s counter-offer to the ceasefire proposal includes three phases. In the first phase, there would be a 45-day pause in fighting during which Israeli hostages, women, children, 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.
In the second phase, remaining male Israeli hostages would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, and Israeli forces would completely leave Gaza. Finally, in the third phase, both sides would exchange remains and bodies. The proposed deal also includes an increase in the delivery of food and aid to Gaza. Hamas believes that by the end of the 135-day pause in fighting, negotiations to end the war would have concluded.
The conflict has already resulted in a significant loss of life, with around 1,300 people killed during Hamas attacks on southern Israel last year. The war launched by Israel in response has led to the deaths of over 27,700 Palestinians and at least 65,000 injuries, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
In another development, Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli forces have been ordered to prepare to operate in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge from the fighting. However, this move has raised concerns about exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the city.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that expanding the conflict into Rafah would only worsen the humanitarian nightmare that residents are already facing. Displaced individuals at the Rafah Crossing, near the border with Egypt, expressed their fears and hardships caused by the ongoing conflict.
Netanyahu’s rejection of the Hamas ceasefire terms deals a blow to the sustained efforts by the US to reach a deal. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described it as “the best path forward” but acknowledged that there is still work to be done. While he believes that Hamas’ counter-proposal has some non-starters, he remains hopeful that an agreement can be reached.
The rejection of the ceasefire terms by Netanyahu highlights the fundamental mismatch between the US and Israel’s plans for Gaza’s future. Netanyahu insists on maintaining overall security control in Gaza, while Washington envisions a future that includes a Palestinian state.
The urgent question now is whether these talks can be salvaged to achieve another exchange of hostages and prisoners and a much-needed humanitarian pause to allow more aid into the Gaza Strip. The situation remains tense, and the outcome of the negotiations will have significant implications for the ongoing conflict and the lives of those affected by it.