The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas remains fraught as ceasefire negotiations continue to struggle, marred by both parties’ divergent aims and the pressures they face from domestic and international actors.
Despite Hamas agreeing to an Egyptian-Qatari ceasefire proposal on Monday night, Israel insists that the deal falls far short of its core demands, resulting in continued military operations around the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office affirmed that while Israel would send negotiators to Egypt, the offensive against Rafah would press forward. This limited incursion has raised fears among international observers and humanitarian agencies over the fate of the 1.4 million Palestinians who have sought refuge in Rafah, given that the city is a crucial entry point for aid convoys.
U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of a ceasefire and urged Israel to avoid a ground invasion of Rafah during a call with Netanyahu, stressing the urgent need for “an enduring end to the crisis” that enables humanitarian assistance to reach Gaza safely. International partners like Jordan’s King Abdullah II and French President Emmanuel Macron echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that a military offensive would only exacerbate the humanitarian catastrophe in the region. Biden and Abdullah reinforced their commitment to work towards a comprehensive resolution to the crisis, including a pathway to a two-state solution.
Despite mounting pressure, Netanyahu remains committed to eradicating Hamas after the October 7 attack that killed about 1,200 Israelis and resulted in over 250 hostages. Hamas, in response, maintains that the ceasefire should be permanent and offers the release of all hostages in exchange for Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has insisted on a phased Israeli retreat, while Netanyahu’s government, pressured by its far-right coalition partners, pledges to continue the offensive to neutralize Hamas’s military infrastructure.
The proposed ceasefire framework by Egyptian and Qatari officials includes multiple stages, beginning with a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops and the release of some hostages. However, reaching an agreement remains challenging, as Hamas insists on guarantees that Israel will completely withdraw from Gaza, which Israeli leaders have repeatedly rejected. Netanyahu is acutely aware of domestic political implications, with hardliners in his coalition denouncing any proposed concessions as capitulation to Hamas. The far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir have openly called for an immediate ground offensive on Rafah).
At the same time, the families of the remaining hostages continue to urge Netanyahu to prioritize their safe return, regardless of political pressures. They have highlighted the urgency, rallying across Israel to demand swift negotiations for their release. Some have even suggested accepting offers from the opposition, particularly Yair Lapid, to form a temporary coalition to secure the hostages’ return.
With the negotiations set to continue in Cairo, the prospect of a lasting truce is still uncertain. As Israel advances with limited incursions into Rafah, the fate of Palestinians in Gaza remains precarious. The international community will need to play an active role in resolving the fundamental impasse, as both parties remain entrenched in their positions and the threat of renewed violence looms over this fragile ceasefire proposal.
