Image Credits - The Wall Street Journal
Negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza have resumed in Cairo, according to reports from Egyptian media. High-ranking officials from the U.S., Israel, Egypt, and Qatar are convening as Israel faces significant international pressure to halt its bombardment of the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Approximately 1.5 million people reside in this densely populated border town, raising concerns about the potential for an Israeli ground offensive.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed confidence in achieving “total victory” in Gaza within months. Subsequently, he instructed Israeli troops to prepare for an expansion of their ground operation and pledged to defeat Hamas militants concealed in Rafah. However, UN human rights chief Volker Türk warned that any assault on the city would be “terrifying,” resulting in numerous civilian casualties. U.S. President Joe Biden urged the protection of civilians in the area as Rafah faced heavy Israeli airstrikes, leading to reported deaths and injuries.
Discussions in Cairo persist despite Israel’s rejection of Hamas’s terms. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispatched his intelligence chief, David Barnea, to the negotiations, reportedly under American pressure. Barnea is accompanied by U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns, Egyptian intelligence officials, and Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani. Efforts are underway to reach a temporary truce framework, which involves releasing Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a period of calm. Qatar and Egypt, with U.S. backing, are facilitating negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
Israel reports 134 hostages still missing out of the 253 taken by Hamas during the attacks on southern Israel on October 7. The death toll from these attacks stands at least 1,200. In response, Israel launched military operations in Gaza. Hamas-run health ministry data indicates over 28,473 Palestinians killed and more than 68,000 wounded in Gaza since October 7. As a result, over half of Gaza’s population, now crammed into Rafah, face dire living conditions with limited access to essentials like water and food.
Several countries and international organizations, including the U.S., have cautioned Israel against proceeding with its intended offensive. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron urged Israel to carefully reconsider before escalating action in Rafah. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, called on Israel’s allies to halt weapon shipments, citing the high casualties in Gaza. Additionally, South Africa requested the International Court of Justice to assess if additional emergency measures were needed to safeguard Palestinians’ rights amidst the planned Israeli offensive.
