Either America must exert “serious pressure” or a new “reasonable plan” must be put to the UN Security Council in order to overcome the current deadlock in negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza, the award-winning American-Palestinian journalist emphasizes in “Vima” and former professor of journalism at Princeton University Daoud Qutab.
Why do you think the US modified the original Biden proposal, which Hamas had agreed to? What happened before the new “wreck” of the negotiations?
“Israel added new terms and the US acted as its ‘postman’ rather than an honest mediator. We speculate, based on Hamas’s public statement indirectly confirmed by Netanyahu, that the Israelis are not agreeing to a final ceasefire that would end the war as envisioned by the Biden plan. Thus, if we believe that Israel changed the goals and added new conditions, Netanyahu is not necessarily responsible for the new wreck of the negotiations.”
Who is responsible?
“The mediators, who allowed the Israelis to dictate the terms of the new plan given by the Americans. The idea that America can guarantee that the Phase II negotiations will somehow result in an agreement to end the war is a chimera, even coming from the US supplying Israel with weapons. Therefore, it has little credibility.”
Concerns have been expressed that with Yahya Shinuar’s leadership of Hamas, a deal with Netanyahu is not possible.
“Never say never. But clearly both sides need someone to help them down the tree. The Arabs are weak and the US is very close to Israel. What is needed is a new mediating pole: perhaps the European Union.”
How much do the differences that have arisen in recent weeks between Israel and Egypt affect the reaching of an agreement on the regime that will govern the Gaza-Egypt border?
“Egypt has far more influence, if it ever chooses to exercise it. Her sovereignty has been violated as has her peace treaty with Israel, yet she is careful not to anger Israel publicly. The Egypt-Israel issue can be resolved if there is a will from Israel and the US, especially the US defense establishment that often defends the Egyptians on the issue of their sovereignty and the violation of the peace agreement.”
How could the deadlock in Gaza be resolved? What hasn’t happened in 11 months?
“Either America must apply serious pressure or a sensible plan must be put to the UN Security Council.”
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