Times of Israel, August 14th, 2024
Recap:
A team of Israeli negotiators arrived in Doha for renewed ceasefire talks following a major push from international mediators. This round of talks is seen as a last-ditch effort to free the Israeli hostages in Gaza.
The Context:
· The Israel-Hamas war started on October 7th, following a surprise attack by Hamas on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of 251 people taken back into Gaza as hostages. It is believed that 111 hostages remain in Gaza, including the bodies of 39 confirmed dead. After more than 10 months of war, Israel has significantly degraded Hamas as a military force in Gaza and eliminated much of its top leadership. Intense military pressure in November forced Hamas to the negotiating table, leading to the release of 105 hostages. However, reaching another deal has remained elusive ever since.
· In May, US President Joe Biden unveiled a three-phase proposal, pairing the release of hostages from Gaza with a "full and complete ceasefire" and the release of Palestinian prisoners. Phase 1 involved a six-week Israeli withdrawal from populated Gaza areas, the release of certain hostages, and a temporary truce. Phase 2 proposed releasing all remaining hostages and ending the fighting permanently. Phase 3 focused on Gaza's reconstruction and returning deceased hostages [1].
· The remaining sticking points for Israel are that all 33 hostages to be released in the first phase must be alive since Hamas proposed the first group released would include “living and human remains.” Israel also insists on maintaining indefinite control of the Philadelphi Corridor, a known smuggling route between Gaza and Egypt [2], and a right to veto Palestinian prisoners released as part of the deal [3]. Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar will lead the delegation and have a mandate to negotiate, which has not always been the case [4].
· The remaining sticking points for Hamas are Israel’s restrictions on the movement of people from southern Gaza to the north, Israel’s demand for a prisoner veto as well as its continued presence in the Philadelphi corridor [5]. Hamas officials said they won’t attend the talks, though Hamas’s chief negotiator is based in Doha and the group has open channels with Egypt and Qatar.
· This week, Israel’s chief negotiator presented a document to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlining the “growing threat” hostages face the longer they spend in Hamas captivity and urged flexibility in Israel’s negotiations to take this mounting danger into account [6].
Conversation Points:
· Will a Gaza ceasefire deal de-escalate tensions with Iran and Hezbollah?
· How has the assassination of Hamas’ Ismail Haniyeh affected the ceasefire talks?
· Has resistance within Netanyahu’s coalition shaped his willingness to finalize a ceasefire deal?
· Should a deal be achieved at any cost?
Notes:
1. High-Stakes Gaza Ceasefire Talks Are Restarting, CNN, August 15th, 2024
2. Gaza Cease-Fire Talks Resume in Qatar Without Hamas in Attendance, Washington Post, August 15th, 2024
3. High-Stakes Gaza Ceasefire Talks Are Restarting, CNN, August 15th, 2024
4. Gaza Cease-Fire Talks Resume in Qatar Without Hamas in Attendance, Washington Post, August 15th, 2024
5. High-Stakes Gaza Ceasefire Talks Are Restarting, CNN, August 15th, 2024
6. IDF Negotiator Gives PM Report Detailing Condition of The Hostages, Warns Their Lives in Mounting Danger, Urges Flexibility, Times of Israel, August 15th, 2024
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