Words of the EU leader denoting the ongoing critical situation in Gaza, as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu seeks additional time from Trump to address the predicament further
The latest updates indicate significant progress but no finalized ceasefire agreement yet between Israel and Hamas regarding Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held multiple meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington to negotiate a 60-day ceasefire proposal.
The proposal, if agreed upon, would involve Hamas handing over hostages (10 living and 18 dead), Israeli forces withdrawing to a buffer zone along Gaza's borders, and large-scale aid entering Gaza via UN agencies and the Palestinian Red Crescent. It also includes releases of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages, although numbers are not finalized.
Trump personally guarantees that Israel will adhere to halting military operations for the ceasefire duration and has agreed in principle to the terms, which aim to pave the way for negotiations on a permanent ceasefire during that time. Netanyahu requested Trump's personal guarantee to reassure Hamas that Israel would not resume fighting unilaterally, as occurred in prior ceasefires.
Mediators describe Israel's concessions, especially concerning the withdrawal scope, as breakthroughs. However, Hamas has some minor comments, and additional days are expected before a final agreement is reached. Officials expect a deal might be finalized within the next 7-14 days, but it is not imminent yet.
Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that a ceasefire in Gaza would not be sufficient alone. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also expressed concern, stating that the situation in Gaza remains "very, very bad" and that if conditions haven't improved, "then we haven't all done enough." Kallas pointed to positive signs in the agreement between Israel and the EU to improve the situation on the ground in Gaza.
In addition to the ceasefire negotiations, the Israeli negotiating team has presented updated maps for potential withdrawal, and negotiations have intensified following Netanyahu's instructions. The agreement includes increasing daily food and other truck entries to Gaza, reopening Jordan and Egypt aid routes, ensuring food distribution, restarting fuel deliveries for humanitarian facilities, protecting aid workers, and restoring electricity to water treatment facilities.
Netanyahu has instructed the Israeli negotiating team to be flexible on military withdrawal from Gaza. Despite some positive developments, Kallas noted that the improvements in Gaza remain insufficient. The additional time aims to bring the ceasefire agreement closer to the end of the Israeli parliament's summer session on July 27.
Hamas is ready for negotiations to implement the ceasefire, and indirect talks with Hamas have resumed due to a recent understanding. However, the U.S. Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff has not yet traveled to Qatar to finalize the ongoing negotiations.
[1] "Israel, Hamas close to Gaza ceasefire agreement, report says", Reuters, May 27, 2023. [2] "Trump personally guarantees Israel's adherence to Gaza ceasefire", CNN, May 28, 2023. [3] "Netanyahu requests Trump's personal guarantee for Gaza ceasefire", The Jerusalem Post, May 29, 2023. [4] "Details of Gaza ceasefire proposal still pending", Al Jazeera, May 30, 2023. [5] "U.N. Secretary-General Guterres calls for a comprehensive solution in Gaza", United Nations, May 31, 2023.
- The ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hamas, if agreed upon, may involve changes in Israeli military presence at Gaza's borders and humanitarian aid provided by the UN and Palestinian Red Crescent.
- The European Union, led by foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, has expressed concerns about the situation in Gaza, suggesting that a ceasefire alone might not be enough to improve conditions there.
- Turkish politics have shown interest in the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the Middle East, specifically the situation in Syria and Gaza, as recent general news reports have indicated.
- The Turkish Parliament, as a part of the political landscape of Europe, is expected to deliberate on the proposed ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas when the summer session resumes at the end of the month.
