As the holy month of Ramadan comes close there is mounting international pressure on Israel to concede a ceasefire. According to media reports Israel has agreed to send its delegation to Qatar to discuss a ‘truce.’ The talk is expected to resume soon between Israel, the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and representatives from Hamas.
This comes after another weekend of heavy fighting between Israel and Hamas over the Gaza Strip.
The last truce between the involved parties took place last year in November and more than 100 Israeli hostages as well as 240 Palestinians were freed. Since then, the United States along with Egypt and Qatar have been trying to negotiate a similar deal.
According to Palestinian officials over 30,000 people have died in the five-month-long conflict since the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel. Since then, Tel Aviv has maintained its military offensive leading to international pressure on Israel for a ceasefire.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu yet again stated on Sunday that ‘irrespective of the ceasefire talks it will continue its operation towards Rafah.’ Israel aims to annihilate Hamas, although the US has warned them against carrying out an operation at the dense civilian-populated city of Rafah.
As the Islamic nations in the negotiations aim for an end to the conflict, White House NSA Jake Sullivan stated the requirement for an indirect discussion between Egypt and Qatar with the representatives from Hamas. According to ANI, an Israeli delegation was in talks with CIA Director Bill Burns, along with Qatar and Egyptian negotiators in Paris on Friday.
As the Doha talks begin this week, mediators will follow up with Israeli delegates and Hamas in Cairo according to media reports. Still, there is uncertainty about whether Israel will go through with such a discussion as Netanyahu stated on Facebook, “We are working to achieve another framework for the release of our abductees, as well as the completion of the elimination of the Hamas battalions in Rafah.”
Nitish Chavan
