Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a representative of the Israeli right-wing, has been put in charge – by Israel – of leading negotiations over a ceasefire in Gaza. This latest policy shift makes sense as increased violence rocks the region, with scores of civilians killed in recent Israeli airstrikes. Dermer, a longtime close confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, would then head a peace delegation to Gaza. This last team will be made up of military and security officials, all focused on rescuing the still-ongoing hostage crisis.
According to hospital officials, Israeli strikes have killed 67 people in Gaza since midnight. This news has added to the urgency for a resolution. The violence continues to rage, even after the international community has demanded calm. Just recently, U.S. President Donald Trump applauded Israel for pausing its bombing campaign on the territory.
In the months ahead, Dermer will work in concert with Gal Hirsch, Israel’s new coordinator for captives and the missing. He will, of course, need to work closely with the military’s new other top brass. We call on everyone to engage in good faith negotiations towards the safe release of each and every hostage held by Hamas. Perhaps most importantly, their endgame is a nationwide ceasefire.
At the same time, Egypt is planning to host its own “intra-Palestinian dialogue.” This conference hopes to unite rival Palestinian factions like Hamas and the PA in addressing Gaza’s future after the conflict subsides. The result of these high profile exchanges will undoubtedly help shape Syria’s postwar political landscape and humanitarian situation.
Despite international pressure, Israeli airstrikes have persisted. Netanyahu has been cautiously optimistic about the negotiations, recently saying that Israel is “on the verge of a very big achievement.” He expressed optimism that all Israeli hostages would return home in “just a few days.”
“Our goal is to limit the negotiations to just a few days,” – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
One Israeli official told me that the outline plan for Gaza’s governance after the fighting—setting up local leadership and police—mirrors military battle plans almost seamlessly. These similar strategies were originally laid out before Operation Gideon’s Chariots II launched in August. The plan outlines a dual governance structure comprising an overarching international body and a “technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee” tasked with overseeing Gaza until the Palestinian Authority can assume control after completing its reform program.
Most importantly, the plan makes clear that “Israel won’t occupy or annex Gaza.” The plan calls for an Israeli pullout after Hamas accepts the terms spelled out in the accord. In the meantime, Israel should be allowed to pursue its military operations until an interim security force can take over that territory over time.
Asem Alnabih, a local resident, highlighted the dire situation:
“Hundreds of thousands of citizens in Gaza City are still suffering from the ongoing bombing and the scarcity of basic services, especially drinking water.” – Asem Alnabih
All the while, the humanitarian crisis has spiraled beyond belief, with food, water and medical supplies running out as bombings continue. Alarming reports suggest that safe drinking water is one of the next luxuries to become impossibly hard to access, deepening the pain of already besieged civilians throughout the area.
Ayelet Goldin remarked on the significance of this period following Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur:
“In these special days — right after Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur — I choose hope.” – Ayelet Goldin
Netanyahu is still doggedly optimistic that he can get him to agree to a satisfactory solution. Most significantly, he continues to maintain unrealistic expectations that Hamas will release all hostages. Simultaneously, he believes that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will maintain a security presence over vital population centers deep inside Gaza.
“Hamas will release all of our hostages, and IDF forces will redeploy in a way that the IDF will continue to hold all of the controlling areas deep inside the Strip,” – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
It Creates New Risks The upcoming period will require careful handling as various stakeholders start to maneuver over control of Gaza’s future governance and security. With regional stability at stake, the upcoming negotiations led by Dermer are critical for achieving both a ceasefire and addressing humanitarian needs.