7-2-2024 (GAZA) The Palestinian militant group Hamas announced on Feb 6 that it had conveyed its response to a proposed ceasefire agreement for Gaza, which would also entail the release of hostages. The United States reiterated its belief that an agreement remained achievable.
Details regarding Hamas’ response were not immediately disclosed. However, Egyptian security sources informed Reuters that Hamas exhibited flexibility in its response, requesting a specific timeline for the ceasefire to conclude following the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday in early April.
In a statement, Hamas expressed its response “in a positive spirit,” aiming for a comprehensive ceasefire, the cessation of aggression against its people, relief, shelter, reconstruction, lifting the siege on Gaza, and achieving a prisoner exchange.
Senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad conveyed to Reuters via text message that Hamas seeks the release of the maximum number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.
Late on Feb 6, the Israeli prime minister’s office stated that the details of Hamas’ response were under thorough evaluation by the negotiating officials.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, amidst a rapid Middle East tour, expressed intentions to discuss Hamas’ response with Israeli officials during his visit to the country on Feb 7.
However, US President Joe Biden, acknowledging “some movement” towards a deal, characterised Hamas’ response as “a little over the top” without elaborating. He stated, “We’re not sure where it is. There’s continuing negotiations right now,” from Washington.
During his visit to Doha, Blinken, alongside Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, addressed the media, stating, “There’s still a lot of work to be done, but we continue to believe that an agreement is possible, and indeed essential.”
While Sheikh Mohammed described Hamas’ response as “positive” overall, no specific details were provided.
A Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity, reiterated to Reuters earlier on Feb 6 that the Palestinian Islamist movement would not agree to any hostage releases without guarantees of an end to the conflict and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The proposed agreement, formulated over a week ago by US and Israeli intelligence officials in consultation with Egypt and Qatar, aims to secure the release of remaining hostages held by militants in Gaza in exchange for an extended cessation of hostilities.
Sources close to the negotiations indicate that the ceasefire would endure for at least 40 days. During this period, militants would release civilians among the remaining hostages. Subsequent phases would follow, facilitating the handover of soldiers and deceased hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until Hamas is eradicated. Nevertheless, there is a mounting Israeli movement advocating for increased efforts to repatriate the hostages, even if it entails engaging in negotiations with Hamas.
A poll by the nonpartisan think-tank, the Israel Democracy Institute, revealed that 51 per cent of respondents prioritise the recovery of hostages, while 36 per cent advocate for toppling Hamas.
According to Israel’s chief military spokesperson Rear-Admiral Daniel Hagari on Feb 6, 31 of the remaining hostages held in Gaza have been confirmed dead. Israel had previously reported 136 hostages still in Gaza after 110 were released during the November truce, alongside the release of 240 Palestinians held by Israel.
As per an Israeli assessment shared with US and Egyptian officials, the Wall Street Journal reported that up to 50 hostages could be deceased, leaving approximately 80 hostages still alive under Hamas’ custody.
Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza following the Oct 7 attack by Hamas militants, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 253 hostages in southern Israel.
Gaza’s Health Ministry records at least 27,585 confirmed Palestinian fatalities during Israel’s military campaign, with numerous individuals feared buried under rubble.
Despite ongoing military operations in Gaza, Palestinians anticipate Blinken’s diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire before Israeli forces advance into the southern town of Rafah. Rafah currently shelters over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population, primarily in public buildings and makeshift tents near the Egyptian border.
Israeli forces sustained pressure on Khan Younis on Feb 6, the primary southern city targeted for capture. Aerial and tank bombardments ensued throughout the night, resulting in at least 14 casualties from airstrikes, as reported by Palestinian residents and medics.
Rafah, situated south of Khan Younis, also endured airstrikes and tank shelling, resulting in casualties, including the loss of lives in residential areas and among police personnel.
Israeli leaders’ intention to advance into Rafah raises concerns among international aid agencies, warning of the peril faced by a million displaced civilians trapped near the border with Egypt.
Mahmoud Amer, among the displaced, reflects on the dire circumstances, stating, “It’s better than living in residential areas where the houses could collapse on our heads. There is no water, no proper aid coming in. The situation is so bad. The dead are in comfort, while we, the living, are in pain.”
