Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden discussed efforts to establish a ceasefire and a hostage release agreement amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war during a phone call on Sunday. This conversation highlights the increasing urgency to finalize a deal before Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025.
Negotiations mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar have faced numerous setbacks over the past year, despite several moments of apparent progress. However, recent statements from U.S. officials suggest a renewed optimism in reaching an agreement. The presence of David Barnea, head of Israel's Mossad foreign intelligence agency, in Doha, alongside Biden’s top Mideast adviser Brett McGurk, indicates that high-level Israeli officials are now engaged in these pivotal discussions.
Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, mentioned that McGurk has been working on the final details of a proposal aimed at both parties. While Sullivan remarked that the negotiations are "very, very close," he refrained from making predictions about whether an agreement could be reached before Trump's administration takes over.
Since the onset of the conflict, only one brief ceasefire has been established within 15 months, occurring in the early weeks of the violence. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed hope this week that a deal could be finalized prior to the transition of diplomatic power to Trump. Currently, discussions are focused on a phased ceasefire, with Netanyahu indicating a commitment primarily to an initial phase involving a partial hostage release in return for a prolonged halt in fighting.
Hamas, on the other hand, is demanding a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, a territory that has been extensively damaged throughout the conflict. Netanyahu, however, maintains that it is essential to diminish Hamas' capacity to wage war from within Gaza before considering any military withdrawal.
Key issues in the ongoing negotiations revolve around determining which hostages will be prioritized for release in the initial phase, which Palestinian prisoners would be included, and the degree of Israeli troop withdrawal from populated areas in Gaza. Since the escalation of hostilities following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, Israel's military operations have reportedly resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian fatalities, primarily among women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The tragic events of October 7 included the deaths of about 1,200 individuals during the initial attack by Hamas and the abduction of around 250 others. The families of roughly 100 hostages currently held in Gaza are actively urging Netanyahu to finalize a deal that would ensure the return of their loved ones. Public sentiment for action has been evident, with Israelis gathering in Tel Aviv to display the photographs of hostages in a show of solidarity and urgency.
As discussions continue, many Palestinians in Gaza are growing increasingly skeptical about the potential for a cessation of hostilities. Despite ongoing reports of negotiations, the harsh realities on the ground have led residents to express doubt, as noted by Khan Younis resident Mazen Hammad, who remarked, "We hear that there are negotiations every day, but we see nothing." This sentiment encapsulates the broader frustration among those affected by the devastation inflicted upon the territory, where over 80% of the 2.3 million residents have been displaced from their homes.
