Most recently, Qatar and Egypt have together proposed a ceasefire in the still raging conflict that has been agreed to, at least for now, by Hamas. The ceasefire proposal calls for a 60-day halt to hostilities and includes significant concessions from both sides, including the release of hostages.
In exchange, Hamas should be obligated to provide release of the remaining ten living hostages and return of information related to 18 dead hostages. In return, Israel would free “tens of thousands” of Palestinian political prisoners. This blueprint calls for bold, agile bargaining today to realize a just and lasting full end to this war. While negotiations are ongoing in the context of the ceasefire, hostilities will not restart.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to a similar proposal about a month ago. Recently, he has moved the goalposts, insisting on a much larger deal that meets maximalist goals. This sudden turnaround has fueled fears that the tide will turn on rekindled violence.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum is 100% in favor of U.S. efforts that have led to this ceasefire initiative. They’re describing it as a “real breakthrough”. The Forum strongly rejects any ceasefire agreement without first resolving the hostage crisis and bringing all hostages home.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Qatar’s Foreign Minister, met with Khalil Al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, to discuss the ceasefire proposal in detail. This meeting is especially relevant given the diplomatic efforts that are currently being made to broker peace in a region that has experienced violence for many years.
Basem Naim, an international relations representative for Hamas, recently stated his organization’s willingness to enter conditional negotiations. He highlighted that “mutual respect” was key to finding common ground.
“The Hamas movement and the resistance factions are interested in reaching an agreement that ends the war,” – Basem Naim
Naim further explained the intricacies at play to make peace a reality, saying,
“What is required is a ‘humiliating peace’ or the continuation of the war,” – Basem Naim
Even through these challenges, Israel has agreed that, at the very least, Israel is providing “serious consideration” for the ceasefire. The opening terms require that all 48 hostages be released on Day 1 of the ceasefire. This would indeed be a major move in the direction of de-escalation.
“But we will not sign a humiliating surrender document — and there is no emperor in Hamas’ leadership like Japan’s Hirohito,” – Basem Naim
Despite these challenges, Israel has indicated that it is giving “serious consideration” to the ceasefire proposal. The initial terms call for the release of all 48 hostages on the first day of the ceasefire, marking a potentially significant step towards de-escalation.
