Efforts to dealer a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel have resumed after a monthlong deadlock, in response to a senior Hamas official Thursday.
The talks, facilitated by worldwide mediators, goal to finish a devastating 14-month struggle in Gaza.
Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, revealed Thursday that mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the U.S. have returned to the desk.
Speaking from Türkiye, Naim expressed cautious optimism, stating, “I think it is not a big challenge to reach a deal … if there are intentions on the other side.”
Negotiations beforehand stalled when Qatar paused its involvement final month attributable to frustrations over the dearth of progress.
However, current efforts deal with halting the violence, releasing hostages in Gaza, and releasing Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
An nameless official aware of the talks confirmed Qatar’s re-engagement, underscoring the vital function the Gulf nation performs in these discussions.
Geopolitical shifts
Since the final spherical of talks, the geopolitical local weather has advanced considerably.
Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential victory and a cease-fire settlement between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have reshaped the regional dynamics.
While Trump is a staunch ally of Israel, Hamas sees potential alternatives beneath his administration.
Naim famous Trump’s marketing campaign emphasis on halting wars within the Middle East and his current demand for hostages to be launched earlier than his inauguration on Jan. 20. “Hell to pay” awaits if this demand goes unmet, Trump warned.
Cease-fire framework
Discussions revolve round a multiphased cease-fire plan. Initially, preventing would halt for six weeks, with Hamas releasing feminine, aged and sick hostages in trade for Palestinian prisoners.
During this era, Israel would cut back navy operations, permitting displaced Palestinians to return.
Subsequent phases would handle Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza, the discharge of remaining hostages, and a roadmap for long-term peace and reconstruction.
Despite the absence of a finalized proposal, Naim mentioned Hamas stays dedicated to its core calls for: a everlasting cease-fire, Israeli withdrawal, and the return of displaced Palestinians.
Tensions, divergent positions
The talks face vital hurdles, together with Israel’s insistence on a long-lasting navy presence in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to dismantle Hamas’ navy infrastructure and forestall the group from regaining management.
Previous negotiations faltered over Israel’s demand to keep up management of strategic areas just like the Philadelphi hall alongside Gaza’s border with Egypt.
Hamas has countered with proposals to open the Rafah border and guarantee Israel’s full withdrawal.
Hamas and Fatah have tentatively agreed to type a technocratic committee to manipulate Gaza post-conflict.
This association would see Hamas relinquish political management whereas retaining its navy capabilities. “We are a national liberation movement, not a movement to govern,” Naim emphasised.
Hamas maintains that armed resistance is a professional response to occupation.
However, Naim reiterated the group’s conditional readiness to disarm if an unbiased Palestinian state primarily based on 1967 borders is established.
Fragile path to peace
As mediators navigate the fraught panorama, the stakes stay excessive.
Over 44,500 Palestinians, largely girls and kids, have been killed by Israel in Gaza, whereas Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 assault claimed 1,200 Israeli lives and resulted in 250 hostages.
With either side entrenched of their positions, the prospect of a sturdy cease-fire hinges on delicate compromises and sustained worldwide strain. As Naim put it, “Resistance is a tool, not a goal in itself.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com