International Mediators Push for Cease-Fire in Gaza
International mediators are set to convene in the Middle East for a crucial round of negotiations on Thursday, aiming to establish a much-needed cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. This effort comes amid rising tensions and an expected military escalation involving Iran against Israel.
The cease-fire discussions are scheduled to take place in either Doha, Qatar, or Cairo, Egypt. Key participants are anticipated to include high-ranking intelligence officials from Egypt, Israel, and the United States, alongside the Prime Minister of Qatar. However, as of Tuesday, representatives from Hamas indicated they would not participate in these talks.
Ahmad Abdul-Hadi, a Hamas representative based in Lebanon, expressed skepticism about joining the negotiations, stating that it would be akin to returning “backward to square one.” He further criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of stalling the negotiations. “Netanyahu is not genuinely interested in an agreement that would completely halt the aggression,” Mr. Abdul-Hadi remarked. “Instead, he appears to be engaged in deception and evasion, aiming to prolong the conflict and potentially widen it on a regional scale.”
The absence of Hamas representatives from the upcoming discussions casts doubt on the likelihood of reaching a significant breakthrough. Nevertheless, it does not signify that Hamas has entirely withdrawn from the negotiation process. Throughout the ongoing conflict, Hamas leaders have refrained from direct engagement with Israeli officials, opting instead to rely on Qatar and Egypt as intermediaries.
It is noteworthy that many senior political figures of Hamas are located in Qatar, which is merely a short drive from the offices of Qatari mediators in Doha. This geographical proximity suggests that while direct talks may be absent, the channels for communication remain open, potentially paving the way for future discussions aimed at de-escalating the situation.
