Israel is sending a delegation to Qatar for talks on extending the Gaza ceasefire. The current ceasefire phase has expired, with divergent views on how to proceed. Israel’s decision to cut off Gaza’s electricity and halt aid deliveries has sparked international criticism, while Hamas calls for immediate negotiations. Former U.S. officials have outlined proposals regarding hostages and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, as humanitarian conditions deteriorate.
Israel is scheduled to dispatch a delegation to Qatar on Monday to engage in discussions aimed at extending a fragile ceasefire in Gaza. The current phase of the agreement expired in early March, with no consensus on subsequent steps to establish a durable resolution to the conflict initiated by Hamas’s assault on October 7, 2023.
Negotiation strategies differ significantly; Hamas advocates for immediate dialogues regarding the next phase, while Israel is inclined towards prolonging the existing phase. Hamas has accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire, asserting that Tel Aviv is reluctant to begin the second phase of negotiations, which they claim demonstrates an intention to evade and delay.
Reports indicate that a senior official from Israel’s domestic security agency, Shin Bet, will spearhead the delegation. Amidst the ongoing stalemate, Israel has paused aid deliveries to Gaza and recently announced a cutoff of electricity supply to the territory. Energy Minister Eli Cohen emphasized that “we will use all the tools at our disposal to bring back the hostages and ensure that Hamas is no longer in Gaza the day after” the conflict concludes.
This decision echoes Israel’s initial strategy of instituting a complete siege on Gaza, severing electricity supplies until they were restored in mid-2024. Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanoua argued that the electricity cut will adversely affect hostages in Gaza, stating, “the decision to cut electricity is a failed option and poses a threat to its (Israeli) prisoners, who will only be freed through negotiations.”
Germany expressed condemnation of Israel’s recent actions. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Kathrin Deschauer stated that Gaza faces a renewed threat of food shortages and declared the power disruption “unacceptable and not compatible with (Israel’s) obligations under international law.” The sole power line connecting Israel and Gaza is crucial for desalination plants, while Gazans have resorted to solar power and generators for their electricity needs.
As temperatures plummet to around 12 degrees Celsius (54 Fahrenheit), numerous Palestinians are forced to reside in tents. Top Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq denounced Israel’s tactic, labeling the electricity cut amid food and resource deprivation a “desperate attempt to pressure our people and their resistance.”
Hamas has persistently insisted that the second phase of the ceasefire, facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, needs to involve a comprehensive hostage-prisoner exchange, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, a permanent ceasefire, and the reopening of border crossings to alleviate the blockade. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem urged mediators to ensure Israel adheres to the agreement and progresses with the next phase.
Former President Joe Biden had previously outlined a framework for phase two, which included hostages’ release and the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Adam Boehler noted that a resolution for the hostages could be achieved “within weeks” and emphasized a possibility for a “long-term truce.
In February, former President Donald Trump had warned Hamas of severe consequences should they fail to release the remaining hostages, illustrating his earlier controversial proposal to expel Palestinians from Gaza while Arab leaders suggested an alternative reconstruction plan.
The initial truce, lasting 42 days and commenced on January 19, significantly decreased hostility after prolonged conflicts that displaced nearly all of Gaza’s population. During this period, a significant number of hostages were swapped for Palestinian detainees, and humanitarian aid was allowed into the territory. Following Israel’s suspension of aid, UN rights experts accused them of “weaponizing starvation.” Gazan residents express increasing despair, with individuals like Abu Mahmoud Salman lamenting the closure of supply channels and the emptiness of markets, remarking, “there is nothing available” in the territory.
In conclusion, Israel’s negotiations with Qatar aim to extend the fragile ceasefire in Gaza amidst significant controversy over strategies and humanitarian impacts. The ongoing impasse has exacerbated humanitarian crises within Gaza as accusations of international law violations surface. The discourse around the hostage situation remains critical as different parties seek to navigate the complexities of the conflict, with varied international responses influencing the prospects of negotiations.
Original Source: www.pasconewsonline.com
