An Israeli soldier stands in a tank, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, near the Israel-Gaza border, in Israel. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
On Wednesday, the leader of Hamas stated that the group would demand a permanent end to the conflict in Gaza and an Israeli withdrawal as part of any ceasefire agreement, seemingly rejecting a truce proposal presented by U.S. President Joe Biden the previous week. Israel, however, asserted that there would be no cessation of hostilities during ceasefire discussions and initiated a new offensive in a central part of the Gaza Strip, near the last major city yet to be entered by its forces.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s remarks appeared to respond to the proposal unveiled by Biden, with Washington indicating it was awaiting a reply from Hamas to what Biden characterized as an Israeli initiative. “The movement and factions of the resistance will deal seriously and positively with any agreement that is based on a comprehensive ending of the aggression, complete withdrawal, and a prisoner swap,” Haniyeh said. When asked if Haniyeh’s comments constituted Hamas’ response to Biden, a senior Hamas official replied affirmatively via a “thumbs up” emoji in a text message to Reuters.
Efforts to secure an agreement continue, with CIA Director William Burns meeting senior officials from mediators Qatar and Egypt in Doha on Wednesday to discuss the ceasefire proposal. Previous attempts to establish a ceasefire, including a brief week-long truce in November, have failed, as Hamas has insisted on a permanent end to the conflict while Israel has only been willing to discuss temporary pauses.
Despite repeated declarations by Biden that ceasefires were imminent, no lasting truce has been achieved. In February, Biden announced that Israel had agreed to a ceasefire by the start of Ramadan on March 10, but this did not materialize. Last week’s announcement from the White House was made with significant attention and came at a time when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces growing domestic pressure to end the eight-month conflict and negotiate the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Three U.S. officials revealed to Reuters that Biden, having secured Israel’s agreement to the proposal, intentionally announced it without prior notice to the Israelis, aiming to limit Netanyahu’s ability to retreat from the deal. “We didn’t ask permission to announce the proposal,” a senior U.S. official said, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “We informed the Israelis we were going to give a speech on the situation in Gaza but did not go into great detail.”
Hamas initiated the conflict on October 7 by attacking Israeli territory, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the capture of over 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Approximately half of the hostages were released during the war’s only truce so far, which lasted a week in November. Israel’s military response has led to over 36,000 deaths in Gaza, according to local health officials, with thousands more feared buried under rubble.
Israel’s response to the ceasefire proposal has been tepid. Although Biden described it as an Israeli offer, the Israeli government has publicly expressed reservations. A top aide to Netanyahu confirmed on Sunday that Israel made the proposal, despite it being “not a good deal.” Full details of the proposal have not been disclosed, but Israel insists it will not agree to any terms that require halting the war before Hamas is fully defeated. Meanwhile, Hamas has shown no indication of surrender, with its main leaders still at large.
“The outline allows Israel to achieve all its objectives: to destroy Hamas militarily and its governing capabilities, to bring home our hostages, and ensure that Gaza can never form a threat to us again,” Israeli government spokesman David Mencer said on Wednesday. Far-right members of Netanyahu’s government have threatened to resign if he agrees to a peace deal that leaves Hamas intact, potentially leading to new elections and ending Netanyahu’s political career. Centrist opponents, who joined Netanyahu’s war cabinet in a show of unity at the conflict’s outset, have also threatened to quit, citing a lack of a clear plan from his government.
In parallel, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant asserted that there would be no pause in Israel’s offensive during ceasefire negotiations. “Any negotiations with Hamas would be conducted only under fire,” Gallant said after inspecting the Gaza front from a warplane. Israel announced a new operation against Hamas in central Gaza on Wednesday, where Palestinian medics reported that airstrikes had killed dozens. The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad stated they had engaged in battles with Israeli forces across the enclave and launched anti-tank rockets and shells.
“The sounds of bombardment didn’t stop all night,” said Aya, a 30-year-old displaced woman in Deir Al-Balah, the only major population center in Gaza yet to be entered by Israeli tanks. Two children were among the dead at the city’s Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, one of the last functioning hospitals in Gaza. Mourners reported that the children had been killed along with their mother, who could not evacuate in time. “This is not war, it is destruction that words are unable to express,” said their father, Abu Mohammed Abu Saif.
COMMENTS