Israel to Send Delegation to Resume Gaza Cease-Fire Negotiations

Facts

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told US Pres. Joe Biden on Thursday that Israel would send a delegation to resume negotiations regarding a cease-fire in Gaza after Hamas submitted a new revised proposal on Wednesday.¹
• This comes as the US described Hamas' latest proposal as a “breakthrough” establishing a framework for a possible hostage deal, though it warned that difficult negotiations remained over its implementation. Talks will continue in Doha.²
• Axios reported that Biden told Netanyahu during their Thursday phone call that 'it is time to close' the hostage-truce deal. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's office reasserted its pledge to 'ending the war only after all of its goals have been achieved.'³
• On Friday, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah hosted a Hamas delegation in Beirut to discuss the situation in Gaza and the region, with a senior Hamas official rejecting to disclose details about the group's requests to ensure the success of the current negotiations.⁴
• Hamas did say, however, that it would not accept any statements that support plans for foreign forces to enter Gaza under any name or justification, amid reports that the US has worked with its Arab allies to establish a peacekeeping force in the strip after the war.⁵
• Separately, National Unity chairman Benny Gantz told Netanyahu on Friday that his opposition party will 'provide full backing to any responsible deal that will lead to the return of the hostages.' Gantz withdrew from Netanyahu's coalition last month over the handling of the war.⁶

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²Guardian, ³Axios, ⁴AL, ⁵Timesofisrael (a) and ⁶Timesofisrael (b).

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Financial Times. A guaranteed end to the war will ensure increased humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave, preserve Israel's security, and create a better 'day after' in Gaza without Hamas in power. The US will continue to work toward closing the gaps and ensuring that peace and stability can be restored to the region.
• Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Jerusalem Post. Israel has overcome many obstacles in this war, but there are still plenty of challenges. Though Hamas has been seriously degraded, its leadership is still largely intact and hostages are still being held in Gaza. Military pressure has forced Hamas to make concessions, but due to foreign and domestic pressures, Israel will also likely have to make painful concessions of its own. Nonetheless, Israel must retain security control over Gaza to prevent another Oct. 7 terrorist attack.
• Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Al Jazeera. Though Israel's war on Gaza must end as soon as possible, it is clear that Israel wants to indefinitely occupy the strip. Israel has failed miserably at defeating Hamas, as it continues to re-emerge in areas Israel has deemed 'cleared.' Indeed, Netanyahu's political ambitions incentivize him to perpetuate this genocidal campaign as long as possible, even if his rivals are just as bad for Palestinians. Regardless of a deal, this war has no end in sight.
• Narrative D, as provided by Al Mayadeen English. Hezbollah and the regional resistance continue to demonstrate their military capabilities, even if they are more than willing to observe a cease-fire in Gaza. Ultimately, the resistance's primary goal is to end the war in Gaza, not start a larger regional conflict. However, Israel's genocidal actions and constant threats may indicate that a larger war is coming. Indeed, Hezbollah is ready to defend Lebanon.

Predictions