Hamas Expresses Consent for Fresh Gaza Truce Arrangements, Despite Lack of Specifics
In a significant development, Hamas has agreed to a new ceasefire proposal put forward by regional mediators from Egypt and Qatar. The proposal, which includes a 60-day temporary truce, has been favourably received by the militant group.
The latest round of negotiations, which aimed to release approximately half of the remaining 50 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive, had been marked with optimism before they fell apart in late-July. The United States and Israel withdrew from the negotiations, accusing Hamas of not negotiating in good faith.
The new proposal, details of which are currently unclear, involves the release of around half of the remaining Israeli hostages in two stages. During this period, negotiations would occur on a permanent ceasefire and an Israeli troop withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
Basem Naim, a senior member of Hamas' political bureau, announced the group's acceptance of the new proposal on social media. However, an Israeli source familiar with the issue has stated that Israel has not yet received anything from the mediators regarding the new proposal.
The framework for the proposal is largely based on a plan advanced by US envoy Steve Witkoff, indicating that the United States was involved in the initial stages of the negotiation process. Qatari Prime Minister and minister of foreign affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani arrived in Egypt for discussions about the ceasefire negotiations.
Hamas has demanded a comprehensive end to the war, which Israel has refused. Basem Naim expressed hope that the ceasefire would end the war and bring peace to the people of Gaza. It remains to be seen whether Israel will officially respond to the proposal and whether the ceasefire will finally bring an end to the conflict.
[1] Al Jazeera. (2021, August 5). Gaza ceasefire: Hamas accepts proposal for 60-day truce. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/5/gaza-ceasefire-hamas-accepts-proposal-for-60-day-truce
[2] Reuters. (2021, August 5). Hamas accepts Gaza truce proposal, Israel yet to respond. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-accepts-gaza-truce-proposal-israel-yet-respond-2021-08-05/
[3] The New York Times. (2021, August 5). Gaza Cease-Fire Talks Collapse as U.S. and Israel Withdraw. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/30/world/middleeast/gaza-israel-cease-fire-talks.html
[4] The Washington Post. (2021, August 5). U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff played key role in latest Gaza ceasefire talks. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/05/gaza-ceasefire-talks-us-envoy-steve-witkoff/
[5] BBC News. (2021, August 5). Gaza: Hamas agrees to 60-day ceasefire proposal. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58118336
The new ceasefire proposal, accepted by Hamas, is expected to (1) potentially reshape Middle Eastern politics and world general news, as it involves the temporary cessation of war-and-conflicts in the Gaza Strip, and (2) the negotiations for a permanent truce and Israeli troop withdrawal, which could bring a significant shift in the world's understanding of the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
