Yossi Schwartz ISL (RCIT section in Israel/Occupied Palestine), 21.08.2024
While Netanyahu wants the continuation of the war and rejects a permanent ceasefire, Hamas is ready to accept the American’s offer from May and July, but not the new conditions of Netanyahu, who wants a regional war.
After many declarations by Biden that a deal is almost sure, Israeli and American officials warned yesterday (Tuesday) that the negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages are facing collapse, with no clear alternative in sight. This is according to a report on the Politico website.
The current offer, formulated by the US, Israel, Egypt, and Qatar, is considered by the three the strongest so far. According to these sources – it includes conditions aligned with Israel’s demands. Israel agreed to the offer, but Hamas refused to accept it in public statements.
American officials are worried about the proposal’s possible failure, similar to previous attempts. They fear that if an agreement is not reached, there will be an escalation on the northern border and a direct confrontation with Iran.
The current proposal focuses on the release of the remaining abductees and the bodies of the victims and discusses a possible withdrawal of IDF forces from Gaza. There are still differences of opinion regarding the number of abductees to be released and a dispute over Israel’s presence in the Philadelphia axis and central axes in northern Gaza.
The US is trying to prevent an escalation on the northern border with Hezbollah and fears an Iranian attack on Israel if the situation deteriorates. The American officials emphasize that the chances of reaching an agreement are small, but this is the best strategy.
The Secretary of State Blinken defined the proposal as “the best chance, and perhaps the last” to achieve a ceasefire and release hostages. If the USA is trying to prevent a regional war through its actions, the White House is encouraging Netanyahu to extend the war and turn it into a regional war. In his last visit, Blinken promised Netanyahu that the US would defend Israel in any war and that their relations were ironclad.
“At the end of his visit to the region, Blinken said in Doha: “Every day that passes, the risks to which the abductees are exposed increase, and the suffering of the residents of Gaza increases without aid or medicine.” The American Secretary of State added: “As soon as Hamas agrees to the mediation proposal, we must reach an agreement on the implementation details… I will do everything possible in the coming days to get Hamas to agree that the cease-fire agreement in Gaza should be made in the coming days. The US has long announced that it does not accept Israel’s long-term occupation of Gaza. The risk of escalation in the region is increasing day by day, and we want to reach a cease-fire agreement and ensure the release of the abductees from Gaza now.”
The Secretary of State added: “I heard directly from Netanyahu that Israel accepted the mediation offer, I hope Hamas will do the same.”[i]
“Blinken met with Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday for three hours, after which both he and the Prime Minister stated that Israel had accepted a “bridging proposal” that the US had put on the table last week in Qatar. That proposal is alleged to close the gaps between Israel and Hamas about the implementation of US President Joe Biden’s May 31 proposal for a deal“.[ii]
However, during Blinken’s visit and in its aftermath, Netanyahu insisted that the Zionist army must remain in two critical security corridors in Gaza; the Philadelphia and Netzarim.
“It is laid out in the agreement, an agreement that Israel has endorsed, and it is specific as to the locations and the schedule for withdrawals,” Blinken said.[iii]
American imperialism must be expelled from the region!
Israel out of Gaza now!
Exchange All for All!
For Palestine, red and free from the river to the sea!
Endnotes
[i] https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/geopolitics/article/16296122 in Hebrew
[ii]https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-815625
[iii] Ibid