US secretary of state Antony Blinken has returned to Israel for his 15th visit and is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.
This visit comes after heightened regional tensions following the targeted killings of two senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, which have escalated fears of a more devastating war.
Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah have vowed to retaliate against Israel for the assassinations of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, and senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr has significantly increased the stakes.Haniyeh’s killing has intensified regional tensions amidst the ongoing Gaza war.
After several efforts and numerous meetings, Israel and Gaza have failed to reach a consensus.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry in the Palestinian territory, at least 40,005 people have been killed in Gaza due to Israel’s retaliatory campaign following the October 7 attack.
Where do the negotiations stand?
US and Arab mediators are allegedly close to reaching a deal to end the Gaza war and secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack. However, despite months of negotiations, progress has been slow, with several moments of false hope.
Following two days of talks in Qatar last week, US and Israeli officials expressed cautious optimism about a new bridging proposal. However, Hamas has shown less enthusiasm, stating that the latest proposal differs from earlier versions they were more likely to accept.
High stakes for regional stability and humanitarian relief
Hezbollah in Lebanon has been launching frequent drone and rocket attacks on Israel, prompting Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire in response. This exchange of violence has displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border.
Other Iran-backed groups in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen have also targeted Israeli, US, and international sites in support of the Palestinians.
A cease-fire could bring an end to the deadliest conflict ever between Israelis and Palestinians, a war that has shaken the Middle East and ignited global protests.
The three-phase plan for peace
President Joe Biden along with UN approval endorsed a three-phase plan on May 31 for both sides.
In the first phase, there would be a six-week cease-fire during which Israeli troops would withdraw from densely populated areas, allow more aid trucks into Gaza, and release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 33 hostages held by Hamas.
The second phase would involve Hamas releasing the remaining hostages while Israel is expected to fully withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
The third phase would focus on the reconstruction of the enclave.
Hamas is seeking assurances that Israel won’t resume fighting after the first group of hostages—about 30 of the most vulnerable are released. Israel wants to ensure that negotiations are done over the second phase, which involves releasing the remaining hostages.
In recent weeks, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has also insisted on maintaining a military presence along the Gaza-Egypt border to prevent arms smuggling and along a line dividing the territory to monitor Palestinians returning to their homes in the north and ensure that militants don’t infiltrate.
Netanyahu and Sinwar as crucial figures in ceasefire negotiations
Netanyahu is under intense pressure from the families of the hostages and much of the Israeli public to secure their release. But far-right leaders in his coalition have threatened to bring down the government if he concedes too much, forcing early elections that could drive him from power.
Any agreement must be approved by both Netanyahu and Yahya Sinwar, who took over as Hamas’ leader after Haniyeh’s death and was a key figure behind the October 7 attack. He is also on Israel’s most-wanted list, raising questions about what happens if he is killed.
Palestinians in Gaza say they are exhausted and desperate for a ceasefire. When Hamas accepted an earlier proposal in May, spontaneous celebrations erupted — but those hopes were soon dashed.
Palestinians in Gaza are exhausted and desperate for a cease-fire. When Hamas agreed to a previous proposal in May, there were spontaneous celebrations, but those hopes quickly faded. Aid organizations have consistently called for a cease-fire, arguing that it’s the only way to ensure that critical food and humanitarian supplies reach Gaza.
Experts have warned of famine and the outbreak of diseases like polio if the war drags on. Even if the fighting ends tomorrow, the UN has said it would take more than a decade and tens of billions of dollars to rebuild Gaza.
This visit comes after heightened regional tensions following the targeted killings of two senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, which have escalated fears of a more devastating war.
Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah have vowed to retaliate against Israel for the assassinations of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, and senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr has significantly increased the stakes.Haniyeh’s killing has intensified regional tensions amidst the ongoing Gaza war.
After several efforts and numerous meetings, Israel and Gaza have failed to reach a consensus.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry in the Palestinian territory, at least 40,005 people have been killed in Gaza due to Israel’s retaliatory campaign following the October 7 attack.
Where do the negotiations stand?
US and Arab mediators are allegedly close to reaching a deal to end the Gaza war and secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack. However, despite months of negotiations, progress has been slow, with several moments of false hope.
Following two days of talks in Qatar last week, US and Israeli officials expressed cautious optimism about a new bridging proposal. However, Hamas has shown less enthusiasm, stating that the latest proposal differs from earlier versions they were more likely to accept.
High stakes for regional stability and humanitarian relief
Hezbollah in Lebanon has been launching frequent drone and rocket attacks on Israel, prompting Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire in response. This exchange of violence has displaced tens of thousands on both sides of the border.
Other Iran-backed groups in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen have also targeted Israeli, US, and international sites in support of the Palestinians.
A cease-fire could bring an end to the deadliest conflict ever between Israelis and Palestinians, a war that has shaken the Middle East and ignited global protests.
The three-phase plan for peace
President Joe Biden along with UN approval endorsed a three-phase plan on May 31 for both sides.
In the first phase, there would be a six-week cease-fire during which Israeli troops would withdraw from densely populated areas, allow more aid trucks into Gaza, and release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 33 hostages held by Hamas.
The second phase would involve Hamas releasing the remaining hostages while Israel is expected to fully withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
The third phase would focus on the reconstruction of the enclave.
Hamas is seeking assurances that Israel won’t resume fighting after the first group of hostages—about 30 of the most vulnerable are released. Israel wants to ensure that negotiations are done over the second phase, which involves releasing the remaining hostages.
In recent weeks, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has also insisted on maintaining a military presence along the Gaza-Egypt border to prevent arms smuggling and along a line dividing the territory to monitor Palestinians returning to their homes in the north and ensure that militants don’t infiltrate.
Netanyahu and Sinwar as crucial figures in ceasefire negotiations
Netanyahu is under intense pressure from the families of the hostages and much of the Israeli public to secure their release. But far-right leaders in his coalition have threatened to bring down the government if he concedes too much, forcing early elections that could drive him from power.
Any agreement must be approved by both Netanyahu and Yahya Sinwar, who took over as Hamas’ leader after Haniyeh’s death and was a key figure behind the October 7 attack. He is also on Israel’s most-wanted list, raising questions about what happens if he is killed.
Palestinians in Gaza say they are exhausted and desperate for a ceasefire. When Hamas accepted an earlier proposal in May, spontaneous celebrations erupted — but those hopes were soon dashed.
Palestinians in Gaza are exhausted and desperate for a cease-fire. When Hamas agreed to a previous proposal in May, there were spontaneous celebrations, but those hopes quickly faded. Aid organizations have consistently called for a cease-fire, arguing that it’s the only way to ensure that critical food and humanitarian supplies reach Gaza.
Experts have warned of famine and the outbreak of diseases like polio if the war drags on. Even if the fighting ends tomorrow, the UN has said it would take more than a decade and tens of billions of dollars to rebuild Gaza.
Source : Times of India
