Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel criticized Hamas’s response to the latest peace proposal for Gaza as “negative,” while Hamas insisted it was dealing with it “positively.” Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, speaking in Qatar, acknowledged that Hamas had demanded changes to the proposal, with some being “workable” and some not. The Biden administration affirmed its commitment to continue working with Qatari and Egyptian mediators to bridge the gaps. However, after days of intensive diplomacy, the effort to end the war in Gaza appears to be stuck as each side holds onto their maximalist demands.
President Biden expressed optimism about reaching a deal but acknowledged that it would be challenging. The main point of contention in the proposed three-phase deal lies in Hamas’s desire to secure an immediate permanent cease-fire and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Gaza before releasing most of the hostages. Israel, on the other hand, is willing to negotiate a permanent end to the war only after dismantling Hamas’s military and governing capacities, leading to a standoff between the two sides.
The proposed plan includes a temporary cease-fire, a permanent end to the war, and the reconstruction of Gaza, along with the release of all remaining captives held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The recent exchange of proposals began in late April when Israel presented a draft, which was described as “extraordinarily generous” by Mr. Blinken. Despite Hamas initially accepting the proposal, major gaps between the two sides remained, leading to further revisions and counterproposals.
Israel’s latest draft of the peace proposal was endorsed by President Biden and the United Nations Security Council, signaling progress in the negotiations. While the Israeli government approved the proposal unanimously, Netanyahu avoided openly embracing it, and some members of his ruling coalition threatened to bring down the government if he pursued the deal. Hamas, on the other hand, continues to demand additional guarantees and signatories to the cease-fire, complicating the process further.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has seen Israel making territorial gains in its ground operation, while Hamas persists in pockets of resistance. The group’s popularity among Palestinians and its military resilience have strengthened its position in negotiations. Both sides have faced significant casualties and losses, with the recent events likely influencing their bargaining power. Despite international efforts to mediate the peace process, the gaps between the demands of Israel and Hamas remain, indicating a challenging path to reaching a resolution.
As the conflict continues, key stakeholders such as the United States and Qatar are working to facilitate communication and bridge the gaps between the two sides. Qatar, in particular, has served as a mediator and is focused on accelerating the negotiation process to bring the war to an end. The complex dynamics between Israel and Hamas, including military operations, political pressures, and public sentiment, contribute to the difficulty of reaching a lasting peace agreement. The region remains volatile, with the need for sustained diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict and bring stability to Gaza.
