news

한어Русский языкEnglishFrançaisIndonesianSanskrit日本語DeutschPortuguêsΕλληνικάespañolItalianoSuomalainenLatina

[Text/Observer Network Chen Sijia] According to Reuters on August 11, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) issued a statement on the same day, calling on the mediators of the ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip to formulate and implement plans in accordance with the results of previous consultations and force Israel to implement them, rather than seeking more rounds of ceasefire negotiations or new ceasefire agreements.

The statement said Hamas had shown flexibility during the ceasefire negotiations, but a series of actions taken by Israel, including the assassination of Hamas Politburo leader Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran last month, showed that Israel was unwilling to reach a ceasefire agreement.

"Hamas calls on the mediators to propose an agreement on the exchange of detained persons and a ceasefire in accordance with the proposal of US President Biden and the resolutions of the UN Security Council," the statement said. "The mediators should force Israel to implement this agreement instead of engaging in new negotiations or making new proposals, which will provide cover for the occupation forces' aggressive actions and give it more time to commit genocide against our people."

Reuters said Biden proposed a "three-step" ceasefire agreement in May this year. According to Biden's proposal, the first phase of the ceasefire should last for six weeks, with the Israeli army withdrawing from all "densely populated areas" in Gaza and Hamas releasing some detained persons, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for Israel releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Biden said the goal of the second phase is to "permanently end hostilities," and he expects that it may take more than six weeks for the negotiations to enter the second phase. The third phase is reconstruction and the return of bodies. The United States plans to work with its allies to rebuild houses, schools and hospitals in Gaza.

The United States, Egypt and Qatar issued a joint statement last week calling on Hamas and Israel to resume negotiations in Doha, the capital of Qatar, on the 15th to finalize an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza and an exchange of detained persons. Israel said it would send representatives to the negotiations, while Hamas said it was studying the proposal.

Reuters believes that the statement issued by Hamas on the 11th may be a hint that Hamas will not participate in the new round of negotiations.

Israel is currently optimistic about resuming negotiations. According to The Times of Israel, a source from the Israeli security department revealed on the 11th that Israel believes that it is possible for all parties to reach a final agreement through negotiations on the 15th and implement it in the next few days.

The sources claimed that the differences between Israel and Hamas are expected to be gradually bridged, and whether an agreement can be reached depends on whether Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Hamas leader Sinwar are willing to show "flexibility" to facilitate an agreement.

Israel's Channel 12 said Qatar has handed over to Hamas a document stating Israel's position on several controversial issues. The mediators are likely to accept Israel's request to reach an agreement on the "Philadelphia Corridor" and the Rafah crossing on the Gaza Strip-Egypt border without Hamas' participation.

The report also revealed that the negotiating parties have been discussing which detained persons to release. Israel is ready to adopt a "flexible attitude" towards Hamas's demands. If Hamas is willing to release more surviving hostages in the first phase of the ceasefire, Israel will adopt "more flexible measures" on the issue of releasing Palestinian prisoners.

A senior Israeli official told Israeli media that Hamas’ statement on the 11th may be intended to “put pressure on Israel”. “If Hamas is unwilling to sit at the negotiation table, we will continue to suppress their armed forces in Gaza.”

Israel and Hamas have held several rounds of negotiations since the outbreak of a new round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict on October 7 last year. Since the two sides agreed to a brief ceasefire and released some of their detainees in November last year, there has been no progress in the negotiations. Negotiations held in Cairo earlier this month did not make any breakthroughs, and Israeli security officials privately complained that Netanyahu has been trying to re-propose demands that have been softened by negotiators, hindering the peace talks.

This article is an exclusive article of Observer.com and may not be reproduced without authorization.