Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu faces mounting pressure following Hamas's approval of a cessation of hostilities agreement for Gaza.
In the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, a one-day general strike was held by hundreds of thousands of Israelis, calling for the return of hostages and an end to the war. However, the ceasefire proposals put forward by Hamas have been met with resistance from Israeli political leaders, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu's administration has rejected the Hamas-proposed Gaza ceasefire, insisting on military goals before any halt. The Prime Minister labeled stopping the war early as "out of the question" and vowed to invade Rafah, regardless of ceasefire talks. While Hamas has shown a willingness to discuss ceasefire with concessions, Israel has delayed and added conditions perceived as stalling tactics.
This firm Israeli stance—refusing a full ceasefire, agreeing only to limited or temporary ones, and demanding all hostages be released upfront—significantly hampered the implementation of a ceasefire. Internal Israeli political pressure, including protests over the prolonged captivity of hostages, further complicates compromise. Internationally, efforts by the U.S. and other actors to encourage ceasefire have been undermined by Israel’s refusal, backed by Netanyahu’s political agenda.
The ceasefire proposal, which includes negotiations for a permanent end to the 22-month war in Gaza that has resulted in the deaths of over 62,000 people, marks a return to the idea of a partial deal. Previously, Israel had stated it would only accept a single deal that brings back all the hostages at once. Israel is currently considering a response to the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal, endorsed by Hamas on Monday.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has urged Netanyahu to endorse the ceasefire without delay and call off the military assault on Gaza City. However, far-right parties in Netanyahu's coalition have made clear their opposition to the ceasefire. If the two far-right parties quit the government, Netanyahu will be forced to call early elections. In return, 200 Palestinians, including women and minors, would be released from Israeli jails.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right national security minister, stated that the ceasefire is not acceptable and that Israel must "destroy Hamas." Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister, argued that Hamas has only eased its demands because it fears the planned Israeli offensive in Gaza City. The Israeli military has expressed concerns over an escalation in the fighting.
Despite the political stalemate, a clear majority of Israelis support a ceasefire, according to polls. The Israeli government approved plans to occupy Gaza City and expel over 800,000 residents from their homes earlier this month. The ceasefire proposal is similar to the framework proposed by US envoy Steve Witkoff in June.
As the conflict continues, negotiations and the search for a peaceful resolution remain a pressing concern for both sides. The future of the Israel-Gaza conflict hangs in the balance, with the ceasefire proposal offering a potential pathway to peace, but facing significant opposition from within Israel's political landscape.
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