Proposals for a 60-day truce, the release of the remaining Gaza hostages and of Palestinian prisoners, and a surge of aid have been accepted by Hamas, according to mediators. It is said to have agreed to a deal that would preserve “98 per cent” of a proposal put forward by US envoy Steve Witkoff in May, which Israel had originally accepted.
We have been here before, however, and it is unclear whether Israel, planning an imminent massive incursion into Gaza City, is now willing to go along with another phased release of prisoners. Ultranationalists in Binyamin Netanyahu’s cabinet strongly oppose any agreement. And yesterday, the announcement of plans to call up 60,000 additional reservists to proceed with the takeover of Gaza city – and a new settlement strategy in the West Bank – indicate that the Israeli government is focusing on intensifying its campaign, rather than trying to find a way to stop the fighting.
The ceasefire proposals provide for 60 days for talks on reaching a comprehensive long term peace deal, in effect providing another out for Netanyahu should he desire it. Hamas had previously insisted a ceasefire could not happen ahead of a comprehensive settlement and commitment by Israel to permanent withdrawal.
Final settlement talks would address the most difficult issues, not least Israel’s insistence on the disbandment of Hamas, and issues such as Gaza postwar governance and security, while the US, Egypt and Qatar, the plan proposes, would provide guarantees to extend the truce should additional time be needed.
RM Block
The 400,000-plus demonstrators who rallied in Israel last weekend in support of the hostages’ families have reinforced the isolation of the government. Israel’s allies, particularly the US, must exert maximum pressure for acceptance of the deal on offer. The consequences of not doing so and proceeding instead with the new offensive would, in the words of French president Emmanuel Macron, risk “permanent war” in the region, as well as deepening the terrible and unconscionable humanitarian crisis.
