Middle East conflict - New hope for ceasefire in Gaza war
## Report: Hamas yields on position
The Hamas no longer insists on a full withdrawal of Israeli troops during the initial phase of a three-step plan presented by US President Joe Biden in May, according to a report in the "Wall Street Journal," citing an Israeli government official. The first phase involves the release of some hostages during a six-week ceasefire.
The official stressed to the newspaper that the indirect negotiations are still difficult. "Axios" quoted an Israeli official, stating that it could take up to two or three weeks before a deal is reached.
"We expect this agreement to lead to a permanent ceasefire," said the US government representative. According to Israeli media, the indirect negotiations are set to continue today in Doha. Yesterday, Israel's Security Cabinet discussed the mandate for its delegation, led by the head of the foreign intelligence service Mossad, David Barnea. US President Biden welcomed the decision of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to send a negotiating team.
Netanyahu confirms own goals
The crucial point is that Hamas' response "flexibility" allows both sides to enter the first phase of the agreement - even with the risk that the next phase may not materialize, quoted Israeli officials to "Axios." According to the plan, the second phase involves the permanent cessation of fighting and the release of the remaining hostages. In the Gaza Strip, around 120 hostages are believed to be held, many of whom may no longer be alive.
Netanyahu confirmed in a call with Biden that the war will only end when Israel achieves all its goals, including the dismantling of Hamas and the release of all hostages. He recently hinted that the largest Hamas factions in southern Gaza would soon be crushed. With that, at least the large-scale ground offensive could end, although it would not mark the end of the military campaign in Gaza.
Israel is now focusing its attention increasingly on its border with Lebanon. Recently, the Iran-backed Shia Hisbollah militia fired over 200 rockets and 20 drones at Israel in response to the killing of a high-ranking commander. An Israeli reservist in the rank of a major was killed in the attack, according to the Israeli military.
Gaza conflict: Biden pledges support to Israel
The Hisbollah will only stop firing at Israel when there is a ceasefire in Gaza. They act out of solidarity with Hamas.
President Biden reaffirmed his ironclad commitment to Israel's security, even in the face of threats from Iran-backed terrorist groups like Lebanese Hezbollah, according to the White House after Biden's conversation with Netanyahu. For July 15, there is also planned a meeting of Biden and Netanyahu's top advisors, it was stated.
An agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza War could be the most effective means of preventing a wildfire in the Middle East, wrote the "Wall Street Journal." Israel and Hezbollah have been engaging in near-daily battles since the start of the Gaza War. The intensity of the fighting has recently increased significantly. There is concern that the combat operations could expand into a regional conflict, drawing in the USA and Iran.
Iran is not only allied with Hezbollah and Hamas, but also with non-state actors in Iraq and Yemen. Syria is Tehran's only strategic partner on a governmental level.
Israel approves thousands of housing units in the West Bank
Israel's Military Administration has approved the construction of 5,295 housing units in the West Bank. In addition, three settler outposts are to be legalized, as the human rights organization Peace Now reported. The corresponding decisions were made by the High Planning Council, a committee of the Military Administration for the West Bank. Last week, the Israeli occupation authorities had also decided on the legalization of five outposts.
According to international law, any settlement activity in militarily occupied territories is illegal. Settlements are also illegal under Israeli law, but they are occasionally retrospectively legalized. Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in 1967. Today, there are three million Palestinians living among 700,000 Israeli settlers in these areas. In 1993, according to Peace Now, there were still only 250,000 settlers.
- According to the report in the "Wall Street Journal," David Barnea, the head of Mossad, is leading Israel's delegation in the ongoing indirect negotiations in Doha.
- The US President Joe Biden has welcomed the decision of Benjamin Netanyahu to send a negotiating team to Doha, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues.
- Despite the progress made in the negotiations, an Israeli official told "Axios" that it could take up to two or three weeks before a deal is reached.
- The first phase of the agreement, as proposed by Joe Biden, involves a six-week ceasefire and the release of some hostages held by Hamas.
- The US government representative expressed optimism that this agreement would lead to a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
- Netanyahu, in his call with Biden, stated that the war with Hamas will only end when Israel achieves all its goals, including the dismantling of Hamas and the release of all hostages.
- The conflict in Gaza has led to tension between Israel and the Iran-backed Shia militia, Hezbollah, in Lebanon, with Hezbollah firing over 200 rockets and 20 drones in response.
- In response to the Gaza conflict and the threat from Iran-backed terrorist groups, President Biden reaffirmed his commitment to Israel's security.
- The WSJ suggests that an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Gaza War could be the most effective means of preventing a larger conflict involving the USA and Iran.
- Meanwhile, Israel has approved the construction of thousands of housing units in the West Bank, further escalating tensions with Palestinians and drawing criticism from international human rights organizations.
