The "Middle East and Terrorism" Blog was created in order to supply information about the implication of Arab countries and Iran in terrorism all over the world. Most of the articles in the blog are the result of objective scientific research or articles written by senior journalists.
From the Ethics of the Fathers: "He [Rabbi Tarfon] used to say, it is not incumbent upon you to complete the task, but you are not exempt from undertaking it."
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Hamas may drop key demands in push for Gaza ceasefire - Shir Perets
by Shir Perets
Following Sinwar's elimination and the new Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, Hamas officials signal readiness for hostage negotiations.
Palestinian fighters from the armed wing of Hamas take
part in a military parade to mark the anniversary of the 2014 war with
Israel, near the border in the central Gaza Strip, July 19, 2023.(photo credit: REUTERS/IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA)
Some leaders in Hamas are considering a Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal, in which the IDF would remain temporarily in the Philadelphi Corridor in the Gaza Strip, the New York Times reported on Thursday.
According to the Times,
Palestinian and US officials believed that Hamas’ political leadership
was ready to make a deal after the elimination of Yahya Sinwar last
month.
Because
of this belief that Sinwar was the primary obstacle to a deal, the
Hostage Families Forum released a statement Thursday evening calling on
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, “The time is ripe for a deal. A one-shot deal to return all the hostages home.”
The Times
noted that Iran also seems keen on avoiding another direct round with
Israel, particularly after its air defense systems were significantly
damaged in the Israeli strike in October and given the more recent
victory of President-elect Donald Trump.
After
over a year of war, Hamas reportedly no longer has total control over
Gaza, with more and more Gazans turning on the group, blaming them for
provoking Israel with the October 7 massacre.
Soldiers from the Kfir Brigade operate in Beit Layiha in the Gaza Strip, November 20, 2024. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
Hamas wants to end 'aggresion' on Gaza
Shortly
after the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire went into effect on Wednesday
morning, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters the group
"appreciates" Lebanon's right to reach an agreement that protects its
people, and it hopes for a deal to end the war in Gaza.
"Hamas
appreciates the right of Lebanon and Hezbollah to reach an agreement
that protects the people of Lebanon, and we hope that this agreement
will pave the way to reaching an agreement that ends the war of genocide
against our people in Gaza," Abu Zuhri told Reuters.
While some anonymous American officials told the Times
that Hamas might drop its demands and move forward on a ceasefire
agreement acceptable to Israel’s government, Israel did not appear to be
interested in concessions.
"We
are committed to cooperating with any effort to reach a ceasefire in
Gaza, and we are interested in ending the aggression against our
people," Hamas said to Reuters.
“We
have informed mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey that Hamas is ready
for a ceasefire agreement and a serious deal to exchange prisoners,” an
additional Hamas official told AFP.
According to the Times’ sources, the current main point of
contention revolves around the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza
and what role Hamas will play in the Strip.
“There will ultimately need to be elections,” Salah al-Din al-Awawdeh, a member of Hamas, told the Times.
“There are different factions and balances of power. All this makes it hard to predict.”
President-elect Trump
Additionally, the Times noted that Netanyahu may be waiting for Trump to take office before shifting his position on talks with Hamas.
Although
Trump has pushed for Israel to “finish up” the war in Gaza, experts
believe he is unlikely to apply pressure by threatening to withhold
military aid.
No comments:
Post a Comment