Heretofore known for its stance in military campaigns, Palestinian organization Hamas expressed a forward-looking sentiment on the potential implementation of a 60-day ceasefire with Israel on Friday. The affirmations in favor of this proposition didn’t clarify if Hamas foresees some modifications, and if any differences could potentially become impedimenta or source of further discord. Despite coming strikingly close to comparable agreements in the past, trivial discrepancies have caused peace drafts to become unravelled just before their realization. Provisions of the proposition encompass exchange of hostages for incarcerated individuals and discussions purposed for an enduring cessation of the nearly two-year-old conflict in Gaza.
One major obstacle in reaching any consensus has been the question of the durability of the ceasefire. Hamas asserts that the war must be permanently concluded before it releases all its remaining captives. Commencing with an offensive launched by Hamas from Gaza on October 7, 2023, the war has resulted in the tragic demise of around 1,200 individuals as per Israeli sources. Further to this, an additional 250 individuals have been reportedly seized and taken to Gaza, with the hostages presumed to be alive by Israel standing as 20.
Israel’s militant actions, in turn, have led to the death of more than 57,000 Palestinians, a significant number of whom were children, as stated by the Gaza health ministry. The claimed figures, however, do not segregate causalities into combatants and non-combatants. The almost two million Palestinians who called Gaza home have faced displacement at certain junctures during the war, with a considerable proportion having to relocate multiple times, intensifying the severity of prevailing hunger issues.
The outlined proposal suggests that ten living hostages, along with the remains of eighteen more, be released over the 60-day ceasefire, reciprocated by the release of Palestinian prisoners. The plan proposes that these releases happen in five staggered phases, with Hamas agreeing to resist staging public handover events, such as those previously held during a ceasefire earlier this year. These public handovers engendered considerable backlash from Israelis who found them disparaging.
Furthermore, the newly proposed settlement mandates that the United States along with Arab intermediaries, such as Qatar and Egypt, will take the onus of ensuring sincere negotiations will ensue within the ceasefire to aid in calling off the prolonged warfare. Hamas, under a new unspoken leadership helmed by Izz al-Din al-Haddad, is anticipated to make its stand. It is Israel’s belief that post the annihilation of the earlier leader of Hamas, Muhammad Sinwar, Mr. al-Haddad assumed command of the military functions.
In having participated in planning the attacks initiated on October 7, Mr. al-Haddad seemingly harbors firm resistance against any attempts to strip Hamas of its control. Highlighted within an Al Jazeera documentary that went on air towards the end of January, are his conditions which comprise of Israel pulling back from Gaza, initiating a cessation of the warfare, freeing Palestinian prisoners, facilitating the rebuilding process in the territory, and easing restrictions regarding the movement and flow of commodities.
The post Hamas Shows Optimism for 60-Day Ceasefire with Israel appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
