Israeli Military Continues Attack on Gaza: Ceasefire Negotiations Stalled

The Israeli military continues to attack the independent Palestinian territory of Gaza. Since October 7, 2023, more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed. The Israeli army has stepped up its offensive and launched an attack on Rafah, the southernmost part of Gaza, where 1.5 million people have fled. At the same time, there is no expectation that the Israelis will be released by the Islamic group Hamas.

Under these circumstances, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have stepped in to mediate, and cease-fire negotiations​​​​​​are underway. Although Hamas announced its acceptance of the ceasefire proposal, the Israeli government showed no signs of making any concessions, and ceasefire talks reportedly ended without any results. . What will happen to future truce talks? How are ceasefire talks going in the first place? Frontline Press, a group of specialty reporters, provides an easy explanation.

(front line press)

A three-stage firestop proposal

In the latest round of talks, delegations from Israel and Hamas gathered in the Egyptian capital Cairo to continue negotiations towards a ceasefire and the release of hostages. In the process, Hamas announced that it accepted the ceasefire proposal put forward by Qatar and Egypt.

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According to Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera, the proposed ceasefire is divided into three phases of 42 days each.

The first phase involves exchanging 33 Israeli hostages for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli captivity.

The second phase is the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The third and final phase involves releasing all hostages, lifting the Gaza blockade, and beginning a UN-led reconstruction plan.

The Israeli side maintained their position in rejecting the proposal, criticizing it as “far away from their own demands.” Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that the aim of the attack on Gaza is to “destroy Hamas”. Perhaps they believe that if they allow a complete withdrawal from Gaza, they will lose.

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With the majority of Gaza’s residents starving, there is a risk of further mass killings (genocide) if things continue as they are. According to Israel, around 30 of the more than 130 hostages held by Hamas are believed to have died. Salvation for those still alive seems to be even further away.