Gaza cease-fire tussle
Last Updated on August 20, 2024 9:10 am
The drama about the cease-fire in besieged Gaza does not seem to stop. Despite several meetings with the help of Western countries including the Middle East, there was no solution to this issue. Ceasefire talks have been going on 8 times (until August 13) in Israel’s aggression that started on October 8 last year. Those proposals have stopped due to Israel’s tough conditions and various challenges.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken came to Israel for the ninth time on Monday for the cease-fire talks. He also said that this is the last chance for a ceasefire in Gaza. Blinken made this comment after a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Since the beginning of Israel’s invasion of Gaza, there have been several proposals for a ceasefire. Qatar, Türkiye, Egypt and the United States are also trying for a ceasefire. The first ceasefire talks in Gaza began on November 22 last year. At that time a four-day ceasefire was proposed. 50 Israeli prisoners will be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners. In addition, humanitarian aid will also be provided to Gaza.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu temporarily accepted the ceasefire proposal. However, he refused to stop the war. Four days later, occupying Israel resumed a full-scale attack on Gaza. After that, the second ceasefire negotiation took place on December 2 last year.
Hamas, Gaza’s armed political force, says further talks on a ceasefire are collapsing. Because Hamas wanted Israel’s aggression to stop completely and all Palestinian prisoners to be released. But Israel refused.
Third ceasefire talks failed due to Israel’s close ally the US. On December 10, Washington vetoed the UN Security Council (UNSC) ceasefire resolution. Hamas then proposed a 3-phase ceasefire with the help of Egypt, Qatar and the United States. A permanent cessation of hostilities, the release of Israeli prisoners, the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and other proposals were offered. But Netanyahu rejected the offer.
The fourth ceasefire was negotiated on February 20 of this year. At this time, the United States rejected the UN Security Council’s ceasefire proposal. Netanyahu also welcomed the US move. Finally, on March 26, for the fifth time, the United States abstained from voting on the UNSC ceasefire resolution. But they also support Israel’s continuation of the war.
Then on May 7, Egypt and Qatar again proposed a ceasefire. In that proposal, it was said that Israel will gradually withdraw its troops from Gaza. It will also help rebuild Gaza. But Israel never sought a full ceasefire. After this proposal, Israel started attacking Rafah.
On July 31, the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in Iran stalled the seventh round of ceasefire talks. Then finally, for the eighth time, Prime Minister Netanyahu gave five difficult conditions not to finalize the ceasefire talks. Among them are the prevention of Hamas crossing the border, Israeli control over the Rafah border, the leaking of information on Israeli prisoners and the deportation of Palestinian prisoners. These conditions of Israel were an obstacle to the ceasefire.
Blinken visited Israel again on Monday ahead of the ceasefire talks. Blinken said, ‘This is my ninth visit to Israel, the Middle East since October 7. This is a final moment. The most appropriate and last chance to bring home the hostages, conclude a cease-fire agreement and lead all to lasting peace and security.’
However, Hamas has described the progress of the agreement as an “illusion”. Because there is still a difference of opinion on whether or not Israeli troops will be completely withdrawn from Gaza, Hamas said.
Sources: Al Jazeera and AFP