Israeli Forces Push Deeper into Central, Southern Gaza

Facts

• Israeli forces pushed deeper into Deir al-Balah in central Gaza and Khan Younis in the south on Thursday, as negotiations regarding a cease-fire and hostage release remain uncertain. The fighting has forced Palestinians to flee to areas already overcrowded. Fighting was also reported in Rafah.^[1]
• Israel's negotiators reportedly arrived in Cairo on Thursday to continue cease-fire talks. US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, told the UN Security Council that a deal 'is in sight,” urging members of the body to pressure Hamas to accept a US 'bridging' proposal.^[2]
• Though US officials have publicly shown optimism for the deal, Egypt, one of the countries mediating the negotiations, cast doubt on the proposal's viability, with officials indicating Hamas would likely not accept it due to an alleged lack of guarantees regarding the end of the war and Israel's military presence in Gaza.^[3]
• US Pres. Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, with the White House saying that the president stressed “the urgency of bringing the ceasefire and hostage release deal to closure.' Netanyahu has insisted that Israeli forces remain along the Gaza-Egypt border.^[4]
• On Thursday, Netanyahu's office denied reports that Israel was considering handing over the Gaza-Egypt border — often referred to as the Philadelphi Corridor — to an international force, arguing that Israel must remain there to prevent Hamas from rearming.^[5]
• Separately, the Hostage Families Forum campaign group said on Thursday that bullets were found in the bodies of six Israeli captives retrieved by Israeli forces earlier this week near Khan Younis.^[6][7]

Sources: ^[1]Reuters (a), ^[2]Al Jazeera, ^[3]Associated Press, ^[4]Guardian, ^[5]Timesofisrael, ^[6]Reuters (b) and ^[7]Washington Post.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by POLITICO. With the clock ticking, the US and its allies are confident that after some tough negotiating, a deal between Israel and Hamas can be reached. A guaranteed end to the war will ensure increased humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave, the release of Israeli hostages, 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. The battle for Rafah was so important because it allowed Israeli forces to prevent Hamas from utilizing its subterranean supply lines into Gaza. Indeed, preventing Hamas from re-establishing these supply lines will prove crucial in defeating the terrorist group, and Netanyahu is correct in making the Philadelphi Corridor a red line. Israel cannot repeat past mistakes and will continue to hold firm in its demands.
• Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye. It should be clear after over 10 months of grinding brutality that Israel's true goal is to destroy Gaza and its people. Israel has failed miserably at defeating Hamas, as it continues to re-emerge in areas Israel has deemed 'cleared.' Continuing this genocidal war is simply a means to prolong Netanyahu's political career, and the US has helped him every step of the way.