Mediators from the US, Qatar, and Egypt have achieved some success in negotiations on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Palestinian sources said Thursday. However, some of the main issues remain unsolved, blocking an agreement.
The Israeli military hit Gaza with yet another wave of strikes as a three-day emergency summit in the Qatar capital wound down, continuing the killing over the past day: at least 23 fatalities have been documented so far; a total 76 in the past 24 hours, Palestinian medics report. No signs of swift resolution to a war that just turned 15 months old.
The push for a ceasefire deal is urgent, with President Joe Biden seeking an accord before his departure from office. President-elect Donald Trump has warned of significant consequences if Hamas fails to release all hostages by his inauguration on January 20.
Despite a stalemate in completing a deal, Palestinian officials attending talks expressed optimism on the basis of narrowing gaps between both sides. But one official said that a recent Israeli demand for a 1-kilometer buffer zone on Gaza’s eastern and northern borders could delay the return of displaced residents and run counter to agreements reached in July, thereby apparently reversing the momentum toward a resolution.
Israel is adamant that it is ready to return hostages, but Hamas should be disassembled first and military operations are to be completed until all the hostages are free. On its part, Hamas has indicated it will release all the hostages if military operations are terminated and Israel retreats from Gaza.
The discussions continue without results, and a humanitarian crisis remains in Gaza.
