Ongoing Conflict: Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip
The war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has persisted for over 10 months, with only a brief respite in hostilities occurring during a week-long ceasefire in late November. This temporary truce allowed for the release of 50 Israeli hostages, who were captured during the October 7 Hamas-led assault on Israel, in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners. This exchange raised hopes among mediators and the international community for future agreements to follow suit.
However, these hopes have been consistently undermined by a series of unsuccessful negotiations. In the meantime, tensions in the Middle East have escalated, particularly in recent weeks following the assassinations of a Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and a Hamas leader in Iran. These events have prompted Iran and Hezbollah to vow retaliation against Israel, further complicating the situation.
World leaders are increasingly concerned about the possibility of a broader regional conflict and believe that a new agreement between Israel and Hamas could serve as a buffer against such escalation. Yet, even the staunchest advocates for a ceasefire acknowledge the challenges ahead. President Biden remarked on Tuesday that he was “not giving up” on securing an agreement, but conceded that maintaining optimism was becoming “harder.”
On Thursday, negotiators are set to convene in Doha, Qatar, in an effort to broker a new agreement. Below is a timeline outlining recent developments in the talks:
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May: President Biden Calls for an End to Hostilities.
On May 31, President Biden declared that Hamas was no longer in a position to execute a significant terrorist attack against Israel. He urged for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza, endorsing a ceasefire plan reportedly offered by Israel to facilitate the release of hostages. “It’s time for this war to end, for the day after to begin,” Biden stated, emphasizing the critical nature of this moment. He placed the responsibility on Hamas to engage in negotiations, asserting, “Israel has made their proposal. Hamas has expressed a desire for a cease-fire. This deal represents an opportunity for them to demonstrate their sincerity.”
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June: U.N. Security Council Passes Cease-fire Resolution.
On June 10, the United Nations Security Council adopted a ceasefire resolution, with strong backing from the United States. The resolution received support from 14 nations, while Russia chose to abstain from voting. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the American ambassador to the U.N., stated that the U.S. would actively work to ensure Israel’s compliance with the deal, while Qatar and Egypt would be instrumental in bringing Hamas to the negotiating table.
