Israeli and Hamas officials have cast doubt on the possibility of an imminent ceasefire in the war in Gaza, despite hopes expressed by US President Joe Biden. The question now arises whether a temporary truce can be reached before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in two weeks’ time.
Hamas’s head of political division in Gaza, Basem Naim, stated that the Palestinian Islamist movement had not yet received a formal proposal for a ceasefire since last week’s indirect talks in Paris. Naim described Biden’s remarks as “premature” and not reflective of the reality on the ground. Similarly, Ahmad Abdel-Hadi, a Hamas representative in Beirut, said that significant progress had not been made on a deal.
Israeli officials, speaking anonymously, also expressed surprise at Biden’s comments and stated that Hamas was making excessive demands. These statements contradict Biden’s assertion that a ceasefire could be implemented as soon as March 4th.
The possibility of a temporary halt to the war during Ramadan was also mentioned by Biden. He stated that Israel had agreed not to engage in activities during the holy month to allow time for the release of hostages. However, both Israeli and Hamas officials have downplayed the likelihood of such an agreement.
Efforts to stem the bloodshed in Gaza have proven challenging throughout the nearly five-month-old war. The conflict began when Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. A previous truce collapsed after a week, and progress on a second deal has been elusive.
With only two weeks until Ramadan, time is running out to broker a comprehensive ceasefire. This period often sees increased tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Desperate civilians in Gaza, along with the relatives of hostages and international mediators, are aware of the urgency to reach an agreement.
The latest proposal under review includes a 40-day pause in military operations, the exchange of prisoners, repairs to hospitals and bakeries in Gaza, and the delivery of aid to the territory. The draft also outlines the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
The number and identity of released prisoners and hostages have been a point of contention in talks. Hamas has insisted on a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza before releasing hostages, a demand that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed as “delusional.”
The cautious tone from both sides regarding the feasibility of a ceasefire has caused dismay among Palestinians trapped in Gaza. The lack of aid, food, and water has led to extreme hunger for one in four people in the territory.
Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that a temporary ceasefire would not prevent an Israeli ground offensive on Rafah, the southernmost town in Gaza. The destruction and ongoing fighting have made it unclear how or where civilians can flee. Despite global condemnation, Israeli decision-makers view a Rafah operation as necessary to destroy Hamas.
In the past 24 hours, 96 people were killed in Gaza, according to the health ministry. The Israeli army reported eliminating several militants in a raid on Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood. The dire situation has forced people in northern Gaza to eat animal feed and leaves. Aid deliveries, which are far below what is needed, are often raided by desperate individuals or armed gangs.
Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group, announced that it would halt fire on Israel if a truce was reached in Gaza. This development is seen as positive, as tensions between the two enemies have escalated since October.
Qatari mediators remain optimistic that a deal can be brokered for Gaza. Efforts are ongoing, with regular meetings taking place between all parties involved. However, no specific deadline has been set for reaching an agreement.
In conclusion, hopes for an imminent ceasefire in the war in Gaza have been downplayed by Israeli and Hamas officials. The possibility of a temporary truce before Ramadan remains uncertain. The situation in Gaza is dire, with a lack of aid and extreme hunger affecting a significant portion of the population. Efforts to reach a comprehensive ceasefire continue, but time is running out.
