Is Israel Ready for Peace?
The road to peace in the Middle East is fraught with challenges and complexities. Just when it seemed that a breakthrough might be within reach, the Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again thrown cold water on any hopes of a ceasefire agreement.
From Hostages to Ceasefires
The proposed armistice and prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas was agreed upon in January 2025. The deal included the release of 33 out of 98 Israeli hostages for 30-50 Palestinians, a six-week ceasefire, permanent ceasefire, Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza, and a reconstruction process lasting three to five years. However, the agreement faced significant opposition from Netanyahu, who equated a halt in fighting to a surrender to Hamas and terrorism.
International Support and Opposition
The United Nations Security Council supported the deal as Resolution 2735 on June 10, but the US presented ‘humanitarian pauses’ that Israel rejected. The US proposed releasing hostages and halting fighting, leading to an initial four-day ceasefire that expired due to disagreements over terms.
Mediation Efforts
Egypt intensified its efforts to reach a ceasefire in November 2024, providing a plan that was nearly accepted by both sides. However, Netanyahu’s rejection of a permanent ceasefire if Hamas leaders went into exile and his insistence on the return of Israeli hostages stalled negotiations.
US Involvement
The US proposed a sixty-day ceasefire in January 2025 but faced opposition from Netanyahu. By March 7, ceasefire talks had stalled, but leading up to Ramadan, efforts increased. On March 18, Israel and Hamas began negotiations again, with the U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators working tirelessly behind the scenes.
Final Agreement
The United Nations warned of an imminent famine, furthering discussions. By April 2024, negotiations over the release of hostages stalled due to disagreements on ceasefire duration. A proposal for a six-week ceasefire in exchange for forty hostages was rejected by Hamas, which insisted on a permanent ceasefire.
Three-Phase Proposal
On May 4, Qatar and Egypt presented a three-stage proposal that was accepted by Hamas. Netanyahu said the proposal was ‘far’ from Israeli demands but promised to continue negotiations. The U.S. shared this plan with Hamas through Qatar and urged both sides to finalize an agreement.
The Final Agreement
On January 17, 2025, a 42-day ceasefire agreement was achieved. This included the release of 33 Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, followed by the release of remaining alive male Israelis and the remains of deceased Israeli captives. The agreement aimed to promote ‘sustainable calm’ and end Israel’s occupation and siege of Gaza.
Implementation and Reactions
The agreement was supervised by Egypt, Qatar, the United Nations, and the U.S., with the goal of ensuring its successful implementation. Protests broke out in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with thousands gathering to support a hostage release deal with Hamas. The Israeli government’s proposal faced opposition from some politicians but received support from others.
Conclusion
The road to peace is never easy, especially when it involves complex negotiations between Israel and Hamas. While the final agreement was reached, the challenges of implementation remain. As we move forward, the key will be in ensuring that both sides adhere to their commitments and work towards a lasting peace.
You want to know more about Three-phase Israel–Hamas war ceasefire proposal?
This page is based on the article Three-phase Israel–Hamas war ceasefire proposal published in Wikipedia (retrieved on January 18, 2025) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.