Mediators Present Israel, Hamas 'Bridging Proposal'
The US, Qatar, and Egypt reportedly presented a 'bridging proposal' to Israel and Hamas during cease-fire talks, which resumed on Thursday. Hamas, which did not directly attend the talks, said it had been briefed on the proposal....
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Facts
- The US, Qatar, and Egypt reportedly presented a 'bridging proposal' to Israel and Hamas during cease-fire talks, which resumed on Thursday. Hamas, which did not directly attend the talks, said it had been briefed on the proposal.[1]
- US officials said that progress was being made, with US Pres. Joe Biden saying, “we’re closer than...ever” to securing a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. However, a senior Hamas official said the US was creating a “false positive atmosphere.'[2]
- Technical talks are expected to continue in the coming days in preparation for further negotiations next week. Hamas reiterated that it would only accept a deal that led to a permanent cease-fire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and a “serious” prisoner exchange.[3]
- Israeli officials also said that progress had been made in Doha, though they didn't elaborate on whether the negotiating team had made concessions. One official said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stood by his position that Israeli forces remain on the Gaza-Egypt border.[4]
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to Israel on Saturday to push for a deal. Blinken will also reportedly seek to 'avoid escalation,' given threats made by Iran to retaliate for the killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran.[5]
- Meanwhile, in Gaza, fighting continued unabated. On Friday, Israel again issued evacuation orders for Beit Hanoun near Gaza City. Evacuation orders have also been issued recently for parts of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah.[6]
Sources: [1]Axios, [2]Timesofisrael (a), [3]Al Jazeera, [4]Washington Post, [5]CNN and [6]Timesofisrael (b).
Narratives
- Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Politico. 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, release 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. Though Israel will do what it must to free those taken hostage in Gaza, it cannot rush into a deal that creates a lifeline for Hamas. Israel faces an entire network of Iranian-backed terror and must act wisely to gain as much as it can in negotiations with Hamas while avoiding full-scale regional escalation. Israel may have to make some tough, but necessary, concessions to ensure the release of the hostages and prevent further instability.
- Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye. There is no indication that a cease-fire is on the horizon. Netanyahu has consistently sought to escalate the situation and prolong his political career. Israel's killing of Ismail Haniyeh was clearly a move to further complicate cease-fire negotiations and provoke an Iranian retaliation. The US has supported Israel every step of the way, including in its genocidal campaign in Gaza.
