The Hamas militant group in Gaza has consented to certain elements of the peace plan that was proposed by US President Donald J. Trump proposed earlier this week. Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has expressed hope that he would announce the release of all hostages from Gaza “in the coming days”.
However, Netanyahu later reversed course and stated that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) would not fully withdraw from the Gaza strip, which was one of Hamas’ longstanding demands. This was in a brief statement on Saturday when Netanyahu stated that he had sent a delegation to Egypt, “to finalize technical details,” the right-wing Prime Minister also added that “our goal is to contain these negotiations to a time frame of a few days.”
In a separate statement, the Israel Defense Forces said that its high-level military officials held a meeting overnight, in which Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the IDF chief of staff, “instructed to advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase of the Trump plan for the release of the hostages.” An Israeli political source told CBS News that the cessation of the IDF’s activity in the Gaza Strip is intended to allow Hamas to begin organizing for the release of the hostages. The source added that this is not an official ceasefire that would require Hamas to return the hostages within 72 hours, as outlined in the plan.
This cessation of hostilities by Hamas and the IDF should give the residents of Gaza a momentary reprieve from immense suffering. The leadership of Hamas must come to a formal agreement with the Zionist regime for the release of the hostages and the cessation of the war. Far to much blood has been shed. If a permanent cease fire was agreed upon then the cessation would be a lasting peace. The central question regarding this new round of talks in Egypt is of course “What comes next?”. What mechanisms will be in place for keeping both the Israeli military operations restrained and Hamas in check will be among the questions that the peace agreement must answer. Most of Gaza is under the occupation of the IDF. What is Trump’s peace proposal?
Trump was pressed by a reporter on his faith in a Palestinian Authority to control Gaza without Hamas influence, getting mad at the reporter for doubting the deal. “Well, it’s a great deal for Israel, and it’s a great deal for everybody. And you want to get hostages back, right? You want them back? Or do you not want them back?” Trump quipped at the reporter who said she worked for an Israeli media company. “It’s a great deal for Israel. It’s a great deal for the entire Arab world, Muslim world, and world. So we’re very happy,” Trump said. Trump’s irritation comes as Axios reported Sunday morning, Trump got mad when Netanyahu said there was nothing to celebrate after Trump called him to discuss Hamas’ “yes” to his peace proposal.
This is going to be a contentious conflict to resolve. Trump loves touting about the negotiation successes he has made. This deal in particular concerning the end of the Gaza war if Netanyahu consents to allow an international force of Arab league troops to secure the territory in place of the IDF troops is essential for peace. Netanyahu is a stubborn and harsh man with an impeccable arrogance. If he were to make any concession for the Israeli military to withdraw from Gaza then this would paint him with the colour of weakness in the eyes of his coalition’s hardliners. The idea that he (Netanyahu) would permit the Palestinian Authority (PA) to assume control of the Gaza strip’s leadership would portray him in a negative light to his political base. Hamas can no longer be in charge of the territory.
Neither can the Israelis. The Arab league should have a central determining role in the truce and transition of power from Hamas to a legitimate figure in the PA to assume leadership. The transition must be done in an orderly manner that is internationally recognized.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
