Anticipating Hamas's Response: Will a truce in Gaza successfully put an end to the conflict?
Israel and the United States are in discussions for a potential ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The US proposed a 60-day truce, which Israel has agreed to, but Hamas is yet to respond.
Under the terms of the proposed deal, Hamas would release ten living hostages and the remains of eighteen dead hostages in exchange for the release of over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, including some serving life sentences. The agreement would also facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Despite Israel's approval, Hamas is cautiously reviewing the proposal, with specific attention to the conditions surrounding hostage and prisoner releases. The organization's reservations are believed to stem primarily from these concerns.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains grim, with food crises and aid deliveries often being obstructed due to security concerns and ongoing conflict. The United Nations faces challenges delivering aid safely in the region.
The conflict began with an attack by Hamas and other Islamic terrorist groups on Israel on October 7, 2023. Since then, Israel's military has been engaged in combat against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. After launching a new large-scale offensive about two weeks ago, dozens of deaths have been reported daily. Israel's stated goal is to dismantle Hamas and free the remaining hostages being held by extremists.
The situation in Gaza has severely deteriorated, with over 54,200 Palestinians reportedly killed since the start of the conflict, according to figures from the Hamas-controlled health authority. A third of these fatalities are minors, and the authority's figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed optimism about the prospects for a possible ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, Hamas has previously rejected temporary ceasefires, demanding the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and a permanent end to the war. It remains to be seen whether Hamas will ultimately accept the proposed ceasefire terms.
The proposed ceasefire discussions involve not just the political aspects of the war-and-conflicts between Israel and Hamas, but also the general-news of humanitarian aid and hostage releases. Hamas is carefully reviewing the proposed terms, particularly focusing on the conditions related to hostage and prisoner releases, suggesting their reservations may be rooted in these specifics.
