Israeli Forces Advance Deeper into Rafah as Ceasefire Talks Remain Uncertain

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Facts

• Residents of Rafah reported that Israeli tanks advanced deeper into the west of the city on Thursday, as the details and progress of cease-fire negotiations remain murky. Residents also reported helicopter, drone, and artillery fire in the city.¹
• Hamas has said that the changes it has requested to the cease-fire proposal announced last month are 'not significant.' US Sec. of State Antony Blinken called some of the group's requests unworkable, but said that negotiations would continue.²
• The US has said Israel accepted the proposal, but it has not stated this publicly as of yet. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israel will not end the war until Hamas is eliminated.²
• Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan told CNN that it will only accept a deal that guarantees an end to the war. Hamdan also said that “no one has an idea” of how many of the 120 Israeli hostages believed to be in Gaza are still alive.³
• Axios reported on Thursday that Blinken pressed Netanyahu during their meeting earlier this week to release Palestinian tax revenues frozen by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.⁴
• The US is reportedly 'extremely concerned' that the Palestinian Authority (PA), which partially governs the West Bank, could collapse without the tax revenue. The US and the Israeli prime minister's office declined to comment on the matter.⁴

Sources: ¹Guardian, ²Reuters, ³CNN and ⁴Axios.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Ft. A guaranteed end to the war will ensure increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, preserve Israel's security, and create a better 'day after' in the enclave without Hamas in power. It will also de-escalate the situation on the Lebanese border. It is unfortunate that Hamas did not respond with a resounding 'yes' to this thoughtful proposal, but the US will continue to work toward closing the gaps.
• Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Jerusalem Post. The fact that the Biden admin. thinks it's appropriate to try to pressure Israel into allowing Hamas to stay in power in Gaza is deeply disappointing. If Israel does not destroy Hamas, the group will immediately begin planning the next Oct. 7 terrorist attack. Israel must get the hostages back and eliminate Hamas.
• Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye. It should be clear after almost eight months of grinding brutality that Israel's true goal is to destroy Gaza and starve its people. Israel is simply not interested in committing to a permanent cease-fire, as Israeli officials have made clear that once the hostages are returned, they will restart the war. Indeed, the US, aware of Israel's intransigence, refuses to do what is necessary to end this ruthless campaign.