US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and envoy, Jared Kushner, returned to Israel as negotiations concerning a potential ceasefire deal in Gaza face obstacles. Key issues remain, including the disarmament of Hamas, the future governance of Gaza, and the presence of an international security force. The absence of a timeline for these discussions raises doubts about the possibility of progress.
A recent complication involves numerous Hamas fighters believed to be hiding in tunnels beneath Rafah, near the Israeli “Yellow Line,” which designates the area under Israeli control. Reports indicate that US special envoy Steve Witkoff suggested an amnesty for fighters who surrender, though unconfirmed estimates state that about 200 fighters may be trapped. Kushner and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed these matters during a meeting in Jerusalem.
Hamas has expressed that its fighters will not surrender without safe passage, a demand that Israel has rejected. An Israeli spokesperson noted that Netanyahu and Kushner addressed the ongoing efforts to secure hostages while also discussing plans for the next phase, which involves disarming Hamas and ensuring that it has no role in Gaza’s future.
The current conflict erupted following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to approximately 1,200 fatalities and the kidnapping of 251 individuals. Since then, over 69,000 people in Gaza are reported to have died due to Israeli strikes, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry.
The initial ceasefire phase aimed to stop hostilities, facilitate hostage returns, and increase humanitarian assistance to Gaza. To date, 20 living hostages and the remains of 24 captives have been released, alongside Israel’s release of 250 Palestinian prisoners. Both parties have accused each other of violating terms of the truce.
Hamas has maintained its stance against disarmament until a Palestinian state is established, while Israel opposes governance by the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. As negotiations proceed, concerns persist regarding a potential de facto partitioning of Gaza, with Arab nations expressing apprehension about this becoming a lasting division.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8912d7jxl2o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss