Overview of the situation - New hope for a breakthrough in Gaza negotiations
Before the potentially decisive round of negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict between Israel and the Islamist Hamas, mediators issued a final appeal to all parties involved in the Middle East. "No party in the region should take actions that undermine efforts to reach a deal," the U.S. Department of State said after a phone call between Secretary Antony Blinken and his Qatari counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. A breakthrough in today's negotiations in the Qatari capital, Doha, could prevent a retaliatory strike by Iran and its partners against Israel, and thus prevent the war from escalating far beyond the Gaza Strip.
"The upcoming day will be a crucial day. We aim to achieve a ceasefire," said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the eve of the talks. "We want this war to end. We want the hostages to return home, including American hostages. We want more humanitarian aid to flow into the Gaza Strip. And we believe that this agreement is the way to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East." Since Israel and Hamas do not communicate directly, the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt are serving as mediators.
The U.S. is pushing for an agreement
The talks in Doha are seen as crucial for efforts to achieve a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange after more than ten months of war. Former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday about the agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages, according to the U.S. news portal "Axios," citing two informed U.S. sources. The content of the phone call was not disclosed.
According to Israeli media reports, officials from U.S. President Joe Biden's administration also spoke with several Israeli representatives, including Defense Minister Joav Galant, yesterday. They emphasized the importance of reaching a deal, which could also prevent an escalation of the conflict with Iran and its allies.
Since the killing of a senior member of the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and the foreign chief of Hamas in the Iranian capital Tehran about two weeks ago, an attack by Iran and its allies against Israel has been feared.
Air raid sirens in northern Israel
Meanwhile, the mutual shelling between Israel and Hezbollah continues along the border between the two countries. The Lebanese Health Ministry reported that three people were killed in Israeli attacks on areas near the border. The Israeli army stated that it had attacked military structures of the militia in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah attacks. Two Hezbollah terrorists were "neutralized." Neither claim could be independently verified. Hours before the start of the Gaza talks, sirens sounded again in northern Israel near the border with Lebanon, as the Israeli army reported in the night.
Hezbollah militia claims to act in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza. Both are allies of Iran.
U.S. President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed by their national security team on developments in the Middle East. They were informed about the military measures taken by the U.S. to support Israel's defense, as well as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and conclude a deal in the Gaza conflict, the White House said.
While Israel's army has been on high alert for days, the United States has significantly bolstered its military presence in the region. The U.S., like Israel, is considered an arch-enemy by Iran.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, according to the U.S. State Department, expressing gratitude for Egypt's "decisive efforts" in achieving a Gaza agreement. Hamas has stated it will not participate in the new round of talks and will be informed about the discussed points afterward. An Arab official told "The Times of Israel" that Hamas representatives would not be in the same room as the Israeli delegation, with the format being "basically the same" as previous rounds.
According to dpa information, CIA Director William Burns, Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egypt's intelligence chief Abbas Kamel are expected in Doha. Israel's delegation is likely to be led again by Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the departure of the Israeli delegation to Doha and their mandate for the negotiations, his office announced without providing further details.
Uncertainty Surrounds Doha Talks
What the talks in Doha will bring is entirely uncertain. In recent months, hopes for a breakthrough have surfaced several times, only to be dashed. The last round of talks yielded little progress. Netanyahu dismissed claims that he had imposed new conditions, blocking a deal. He accused Hamas of raising new demands instead. Netanyahu aims to militarily dismantle Hamas in the Gaza Strip and ensure it cannot govern the coastal region, which has been blockaded by Israel for many years.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas and other Gaza Strip groups launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking another 250 as hostages. This massacre triggered the war. Israel responded with massive airstrikes and a ground offensive in Gaza. According to the Hamas-controlled health ministry, nearly 40,000 people have been killed since then. The figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants and cannot be independently verified. Given the high number of civilian casualties and the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip, Israel faces growing international criticism.
During a brief ceasefire, over 100 Israeli hostages were released, mostly women and elderly people. Currently, Hamas is believed to hold 115 hostages, but many may no longer be alive.
The United States, being a key player in the negotiations, is pushing for an agreement between Israel and Hamas in Doha to prevent further escalation of the conflict and ensure the safety of American hostages. The United States of America, along with other mediators, is urging all parties involved to refrain from actions that could undermine the ceasefire efforts, emphasizing the importance of finding a peaceful solution in the Middle East.
