- Growing pressure on the conflict parties in Gaza accord
The US-supported ceasefire plan in the Gaza Strip, put forward by the United States, has been acknowledged by Israel, as revealed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The ball is now in Islamic Hamas's court to give their approval. Ongoing discussions, facilitated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar, will continue until Sunday, with officials focusing on resolving any remaining concerns.
Let's delve into the crux of this proposed truce and its current situation.
What does the agreement aim to control?
This agreement, based on a US draft presented in late May, initially intends for a six-week, total and unrestricted ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. During this period, an initial group of hostages, including women and elderly individuals, seized by Israel in the Gaza Strip, would be liberated. As a countermeasure, Palestinian prisoners in Israel would be freed. Additionally, negotiations on the prerequisites for a long-term ceasefire would commence.
In the second stage, all fighting would cease permanently, and the remaining hostages would be freed. Finally, the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip would commence.
Is an agreement imminent, and what's the issue at hand?
Blinken's announcement on Monday evening that Israel has agreed to the latest US-backed proposal has sparked hope, after several months of inactivity in negotiations. There are indications of intense pressure on Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to accept the terms.
A contentious issue in the negotiations focuses on the Philadelphi Corridor. This approximately 14-kilometer area, located in southern Gaza, sits directly on the border with Egypt. The Israeli army took control of the area in May. The military reports suggest numerous tunnels run under this corridor, some wide enough for vehicles.
Hamas is said to have used these tunnels to bring weapons from Egypt into the Gaza Strip, alongside consumer goods, diesel, and construction materials, which they earn revenue from by imposing taxes.
Hamas insists on a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that Israel must maintain control of the area after a ceasefire to prevent weapon smuggling.
According to the Israeli news outlet "walla.co.il," citing two Israeli sources, Israel is now prepared to reduce its military presence along the Philadelphi Corridor.
This week could be pivotal for negotiations. What other factors may impact the warring parties and mediators?
Recent events, such as the Israeli army's discovery of six hostage bodies in the city of Khan Yunis last night, could potentially affect negotiations. The men were alive when they were kidnapped on October 7. "We lose more hostages with each passing day. We require a resolution. We must have one. Now," Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on the X platform.
Israel also expresses concerns about the hostages being mistreated further, following reports of maltreatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
Blinken is allegedly committed to preventing "the conflict from escalating to other regions and intensifying." Following the assassination of two high-ranking Israeli adversaries in Tehran and Beirut nearly three weeks ago, Iran and the Lebanese Shia militia Hezbollah had threatened retaliation in massive scale. Both are associated with Hamas and may consider holding back from a larger attack on Israel if a ceasefire is reached in the Gaza Strip. However, if there is no agreement, Israel may need to brace itself for a potentially coordinated attack.
The European Union, being a significant international player, has expressed its support for the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, expressing hope that peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas will lead to a sustainable resolution.
Given the potential for the conflict to spill over into other regions, the European Union has also been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalations, collaborating with other world powers to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
