Ankara
Amid ongoing Israeli resistance, Palestinians express skepticism over prospects for meaningful progress that could alleviate their severe suffering under Israel’s year-long military campaign in Gaza.
While indirect ceasefire discussions are set to resume next week, announced by U.S. and Qatari officials, Palestinians remain doubtful. Concerns persist regarding Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s willingness to resolve the conflict through diplomacy, as he and his cabinet, notably the hardline faction, continue advocating an intensification of the military campaign. This stance risks further regional escalation despite ongoing international mediation efforts.
Since Israel’s October 7, 2023, offensive, international actors have repeatedly sought to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, potentially leading to a prisoner exchange. However, nearly all efforts have been stymied by Netanyahu, who has insisted on continuing the hostilities and imposed complex conditions obstructing a ceasefire agreement.
Supported by U.S. backing that avoids direct criticism of his approach, Netanyahu claims Palestinian group Hamas has missed opportunities for resolution. Israel’s relentless operations, which have reportedly claimed over 42,800 lives, predominantly of women and children, have also expanded into Lebanon, where over 2,500 have died in recent Israeli strikes, per Lebanese health authorities.
The conflict’s regional impact deepened on October 1, when Israel launched a ground assault into southern Lebanon. Here’s a breakdown of the major points where Netanyahu’s administration has resisted or conditioned ceasefire proposals over the past year:
Nov. 9, 2023: Netanyahu rejects a five-day ceasefire offer with Hamas for the release of some hostages.
Nov. 29: Following a week-long truce, he dismisses renewal attempts, leading to resumed bombing on Dec. 1.
Dec. 20: Amid Cairo talks with Hamas, Netanyahu insists there would be “no ceasefire until Hamas is eliminated.”
Jan. 22, 2024: Rejects Hamas’s proposal to end hostilities in exchange for prisoner release, deeming it akin to “surrender.”
Feb. 7: Declares a new Hamas ceasefire plan, involving a multi-stage prisoner swap and a 4.5-month truce, as “delusional.”
March 15: A further ceasefire proposal is dismissed by Israel as “unrealistic.”
April: Almost a deadlock as Netanyahu’s administration pushes for an invasion of Rafah, the refuge for over 1.5 million displaced Palestinians.
Early May: Netanyahu accuses Hamas of altering terms on an Egyptian ceasefire plan, then renews operations in Rafah.
May 31: Biden announces Israel’s three-phase plan, including a ceasefire, prisoner swap, and Gaza reconstruction, which Hamas supports. Israel, however, reverts to stringent conditions by June.
June 10: Netanyahu’s government rejects U.S.-backed UN Security Council’s resolution favoring an American ceasefire initiative, despite Hamas’s willingness for indirect negotiations.
July 2: Netanyahu adds new terms to a mediator framework, calling for ongoing military action and restricted border movement.
August: As ceasefire talks proceed in Doha and Rome, Netanyahu’s administration imposes additional demands, including control over Gaza’s Philadelphi Corridor.
Sept. 25: Netanyahu rebuffs a 21-day ceasefire appeal by the U.S., EU, and nine other nations to ease hostilities with Hezbollah amidst escalating cross-border tension.
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