Hamas Embraces US Proposal for Israeli Hostage Release, Paving the Path for Gaza Ceasefire
In a significant development towards ending the protracted Gaza conflict, Hamas has accepted a US proposal to initiate talks on the release of Israeli hostages, including soldiers and civilians, as part of a two-phased agreement aimed at restoring peace in the region.
The Hamas source, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the militant group had dropped its previous demand for Israel to commit to a permanent ceasefire before signing the agreement. Instead, it would allow for negotiations on a ceasefire during the six-week initial phase of the agreement.
This breakthrough came after a Palestinian official close to the internationally mediated peace efforts indicated that the US proposal could potentially lead to a framework agreement if embraced by Israel. It would effectively end the nine-month-long conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Israel Expresses Cautious Optimism
A source within Israel's negotiating team, also speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the increased likelihood of reaching an agreement, contrasting it with previous instances where Hamas's conditions were deemed unacceptable.
However, a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined to provide immediate comment, citing the ongoing Jewish Sabbath. Earlier, Netanyahu's office had confirmed the continuation of talks next week while emphasizing the remaining gaps between the two sides.
Devastating Human Toll and International Pressure
The conflict has exacted a heavy toll, claiming the lives of over 38,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. The hostilities began in October 2008 when Hamas launched attacks on southern Israeli cities, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 250 hostages, as per official Israeli figures.
Intensified diplomatic efforts over the past few days, including shuttle diplomacy involving Washington, Israel, and Qatar, have been instrumental in securing a potential ceasefire and hostage release. Qatar, which hosts the exiled Hamas leadership in Doha, has played a pivotal role in mediating the negotiations.
Regional and International Factors
A regional source disclosed that the US administration was actively pursuing a deal before the upcoming presidential election in November. Netanyahu confirmed the return of the head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency from an initial meeting with mediators in Qatar, indicating the continuation of negotiations next week.
Israeli forces have simultaneously stepped up military strikes across Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 29 Palestinians and the wounding of over 100 others in the past 24 hours. Notably, five local journalists were among the casualties, bringing the total number of media fatalities since the conflict's inception to 158.
Families of Hostages Appeal to Netanyahu
In a poignant plea, families of hostages gathered in Tel Aviv ahead of a weekly rally, urging Netanyahu to seize the opportunity presented by the potential deal. Einav Zangauker, the mother of Matan Zangauker, a hostage abducted since October 2008, expressed renewed hope and implored Netanyahu not to squander this chance.
Escalating Violence in Rafah
Despite the progress in negotiations, fighting continues unabated. Israeli forces intensified their military operations in Rafah, near the Egyptian border, killing four Palestinian policemen and injuring eight others in an airstrike on their vehicle. The Hamas-run interior ministry identified one of the deceased as Fares Abdel-Al, the head of the police force in Rafah.
The Israeli military maintains that intelligence-based operations in Rafah are necessary to eliminate the last Hamas armed wing battalions. In the Al-Nuseirat camp, an Israeli airstrike on a house claimed the lives of ten Palestinians. The Israeli military asserted that it targeted a Hamas rocket cell operating from within a humanitarian-designated area after ensuring civilian safety. Hamas denies these accusations.
Armed Resistance Continues
The armed wings of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad reported their fighters' engagement with Israeli forces in multiple areas of Gaza, utilizing anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs.
