Gaza Ceasefire Talks Hit Stalemate as Ramadan Nears
Last Updated on March 5, 2024 3:03 pm
Ceasefire talks between Hamas and mediators concluded in Cairo on Tuesday without a breakthrough, casting uncertainty over the possibility of a 40-day truce ahead of Ramadan. The talks, seen as a crucial step towards a prolonged ceasefire, aimed to secure the release of hostages and provide essential aid to Gaza.
Hamas presented its ceasefire proposal during the two-day discussions, with Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim indicating that they are now awaiting a response from the Israeli side. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s absence from the talks raises questions about the commitment to reaching an agreement.
Bassem Naim accused Netanyahu of hindering the negotiations, placing the responsibility on the United States to pressure Israel for a deal. Israel, on the other hand, refrained from commenting on the talks. A source revealed that Israel opted out due to Hamas’s refusal to provide a list of hostages, citing the difficulty of gathering information in the war zone without a ceasefire.
The talks in Cairo were viewed as the final hurdle to achieving the first extended ceasefire, a 40-day truce aimed at freeing hostages and preventing a manmade famine in Gaza before Ramadan, set to begin next week.
While Egyptian security sources expressed efforts to keep the negotiations alive, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Famine has taken hold as aid supplies dwindle, leaving entire areas without access to food. Gaza’s hospitals, already overwhelmed, are now seeing an influx of malnourished children.
Ahmed Cannan, a toddler at Al-Awda clinic in Rafah, has lost half his weight since the war began, weighing only 6 kg (13 pounds) now. The dire situation extends to the north of Gaza, where health authorities report 15 children have died of malnutrition or dehydration at one hospital.
The United States, a key sponsor of the ceasefire talks, maintains that an Israeli-approved deal is on the table, urging Hamas to accept it. However, Hamas disputes this claim, accusing Israel of deflecting blame if the negotiations fail.
As the situation in Gaza worsens, with aid agencies struggling to distribute supplies, the international community watches with growing concern. The sense of helplessness and despair among parents and doctors underscores the urgent need for a resolution to prevent further suffering in the region.