The Palestinian group Hamas says it will respond to the ceasefire proposal in the Gaza Strip within a very short period. Israel would like to get an answer even this evening. But “there are still significant obstacles on the road,” says correspondent Ralph Dekkers in Tel Aviv.
Many obstacles remain for upcoming ceasefire in Gaza
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A ceasefire would revolve around different phases, says Dekkers. ‘In the first phase of six weeks, the weakest hostages are released, including injured people, women and children. After that, the Israeli army should withdraw.” Before that happens, a lot of work will still have to be done, Dekkers thinks. ‘There are still significant obstacles.’
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For example, Hamas demands that the war, including paper, come to an end when all hostages have been released and the Israeli soldiers have left Gaza. “Israel refuses to agree to that,” says Dekkers. ‘They are willing to agree to a longer ceasefire, perhaps for a year. But they won’t promise that this is a final ending. Their goal still remains the elimination of Hamas.”
A Hamas delegation was in Egypt early this week to discuss the proposal. Hamas official Suhail al Hindi says it is too early to say whether the delegation believes progress has been made. Al Hindi reports that the aim is to ‘end the war’, but that this appears to conflict with Israel’s determination to press ahead with a major ground offensive in Rafah.
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Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu today told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Israel will carry out an attack on Rafah in southern Gaza no matter what. There is a critical response to this from various sides, including the US. “Netanyahu is going against the negotiators,” says Dekkers. That attack could still take place after a ceasefire, with the aim of eliminating the last four Hamas battalions.
Shining in the Middle East
Blinken spoke with Netanyahu in Israel for more than two hours today, the final stop of his Middle East trip. The American acknowledged that deliveries of humanitarian aid to Gaza are increasing, but believes that it is not yet enough for the Palestinian population.
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Jordan previously reported that Israeli settlers attacked two of its aid convoys en route to the Gaza Strip. The trucks carrying food, flour and other relief goods were then able to continue driving. The convoys were heading to two different border crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip. The Jordanian ministry states that the attack shows that the Israeli government as an occupying power is failing when it comes to allowing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
Abdullah in Washington
Jordan’s King Abdullah is leaving for the United States today to continue talks about an ‘immediate and lasting ceasefire’ in the Gaza Strip. Yesterday, Abdullah spoke with Antony Blinken about tensions in the Middle East. It is the second time in a short time that the monarch visits the US to discuss the conflict there. He also visited the country in February. His visit to the US was part of a tour that also included Canada, France and Germany.
