Israel is sending a delegation to Qatar to negotiate an extension of the ceasefire in Gaza but is facing delays due to differing demands from Hamas. Notably, Israel has cut off electricity to Gaza and halted humanitarian aid amidst mounting tensions. The second phase of the truce negotiations includes critical issues such as a hostage exchange and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.
Israel is dispatching a delegation to Qatar on Monday to resume discussions aimed at extending a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, following recent actions to escalate pressure on Hamas. The ceasefire’s initial phase expired in early March without any agreement being reached on subsequent terms to achieve a lasting resolution following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault on Israel.
Disagreements persist in negotiations; while Hamas advocates for immediate talks on the next phase, Israel favors extending the current ceasefire. Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement, claiming their insistence on delaying the second phase highlights their evasive tactics.
A senior official from Israel’s domestic security agency, Shin Bet, is reportedly leading the negotiation team. Amid the ongoing impasse, Israel has stopped aid deliveries to Gaza and has announced cuts to the electricity supply, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis.
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen stated, “We will use all the tools at our disposal to bring back the hostages and ensure that Hamas is no longer in Gaza the day after” the ongoing conflict, highlighting the strategic intent behind the power cut.
Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanoua cautioned that the electricity cut could jeopardize the wellbeing of hostages held in Gaza, labeling the action as ineffective and a danger to Israeli captives dependent on negotiations for their release.
Germany has criticized Israel’s recent measures, asserting that cutting off electricity threatens a food shortage and is inconsistent with international legal obligations. Gaza’s primary desalination plant relies heavily on the sole power line from Israel, forcing Gazans to rely on solar panels and generators.
As winter sets in, shelters are sparse; hundreds of thousands of Palestinians live in tents as temperatures plummet to around 12 degrees Celsius (54 Fahrenheit). Top Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq described the electricity cut as a desperate ploy to pressure the Palestinian resistance.
Hamas has consistently insisted that the second phase of the truce, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, necessitate comprehensive talks on a hostage exchange, complete Israeli withdrawal, a permanent ceasefire, and the reopening of blocked border crossings.
Former President Joe Biden proposed terms for the second phase aimed at securing hostage releases and a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. US envoy Adam Boehler indicated that a resolution could potentially be achieved in a matter of weeks to facilitate the release of remaining hostages, though he later remarked that Washington would support any Israeli action, including a re-escalation of conflict.
In late February, former President Donald Trump issued a final warning to Hamas concerning the release of hostages, simultaneously proposing controversial population displacement from Gaza. The initial phase of the truce, lasting 42 days since January 19, effectively mitigated hostilities, enabling the delivery of essential aid while facilitating exchanges of hostages and prisoners.
Following Israel’s cessation of aid on March 2, the UN condemned the act, asserting it weaponizes starvation. Locals in Gaza have increasingly reported shortages, with one resident, Abu Mahmoud Salman, lamenting that with supply lines cut, “there is nothing available. The markets are empty… prices are high, and there is no income. The situation in Gaza is difficult.”
The conflict, ignited by Hamas’s attack in October 2023, has resulted in significant casualties, with Israeli losses pegged at 1,218, primarily civilians, and Gaza suffering at least 48,467 fatalities, mostly among civilians, as reported by both sides.
The ongoing negotiations in Qatar over the Gaza ceasefire remain contentious, reflecting deep divides between Hamas and Israel regarding the next steps. With escalating pressures, including halted aid and electricity cuts, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. The international community monitors these developments closely, given the grave implications for hostages and civilian populations affected by the conflict.
Original Source: www.al-monitor.com
