Is Israel’s Netanyahu going to agree to Gaza ceasefire? , Israel-Palestine conflict news

Signs that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be ready to agree to end the offensive on Gaza, which has killed 44,800 people – with thousands more lost under debris and presumed dead – could lead to an end to the war. Expectations for the end may increase.

Following a meeting with Netanyahu this week, United States National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said he “got the sense” that Netanyahu was “willing to make a deal”. So far, Netanyahu has been seen as blocking any possibility of a ceasefire.

In September, Netanyahu’s 11th-hour objections canceled the ceasefire agreement, which was reportedly close to being signed. The documents he used to justify his decision to continue bombing Gaza were later found to be forged by Israeli officials.

Since then, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for both men for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza since the war began in October 2023.

On Wednesday, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and expressing support for the work of UNRWA (the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees), which Israel has launched to support Israel and the Palestinians. Was banned from operating in the area.

What will a ceasefire mean for the people in Gaza?

Everything, especially for the people of the North.

Desperate for the bombing to end, rumors remain almost constant among those trapped in the enclave that a ceasefire agreement may be close.

“In the past week, there have been two or maybe three occasions when the community around us cheered, whistled and clapped because of rumors that a ceasefire had been agreed,” said Louise Waterbridge, senior emergency officer for UN Relief and Works. The agency (UNRWA) told Al Jazeera.

The United Nations estimates that the northern part of Gaza is completely under Israeli siege, with 65,000 to 75,000 Palestinians trapped behind the cordon as Israeli forces block aid from reaching them. Israeli forces have essentially cut off the northern part of Gaza from the south.

Aid organizations have long warned of famine in Gaza, and many believe it has already taken hold in northern Gaza.

Is Netanyahu bowing to international pressure?

it is unlikely.

Israel increasingly views itself as “disobedient” towards the international community as it continues to attack Syria, effectively capturing areas of southern Lebanon and additional areas of the Golan Heights occupied by Syria.

Just before the UNGA vote this week, Israel rejected UN objections to its invasion of Syrian territory and said its action was necessary to “secure” its borders from the buffer zone protected by the UN since 1974.

Israel has also bombed UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, rejected UN demands for Palestine to withdraw from the occupied territories and claimed that any criticism of its actions is anti-Semitic, including in its case at the ICC. This includes the legal process against him and the genocide case brought against him by South Africa. In the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

So, why would Netanyahu agree to a ceasefire agreement now?

Because observers say now is the politically opportune time for them.

So far, Netanyahu has refused a ceasefire, claiming instead to wait for a vague “complete victory”, a promise Gallant dismissed in August as “vague”.

However, with the collapse of the Iran-backed Syrian regime, Netanyahu may see an opportunity.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Netanyahu praised the fall of regional rival Iran’s “axis of evil” following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying: “The complete victory that they scoffed at is now It is at hand.”

What is the position of Hamas?

In the latest talks in Egypt, Hamas has reportedly agreed that Israeli troops can remain inside Gaza. It had earlier said that complete withdrawal is a non-negotiable part of any ceasefire agreement.

Hamas has now acknowledged that Israeli troops may “temporarily” remain in Gaza, The Wall Street Journal reports.

They will remain in their existing strong positions along the Philadelphia Corridor – controlling access between Egypt and Gaza – and the Netzarim Corridor, which divides northern Gaza from the south, during a 60-day “pause” in fighting.

The newspaper also reported that under the potential deal, Hamas would release 30 vulnerable Israeli detainees named on a list provided to Egyptian authorities.

In return, Israel would free Palestinian prisoners and allow increased flows of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly said Israel is blocking aid entering Gaza, which Israel denies.

Has Netanyahu prolonged the war on Gaza for his own self-interest?

Almost everyone thinks so.

Families of Israeli detainees held in Gaza, Netanyahu’s domestic and international allies, and many of his political opponents have accused Netanyahu of prolonging the war in Gaza to avoid accountability.

As such, Netanyahu faces corruption charges in a Tel Aviv court, as well as any investigation into his alleged failures during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, during which 1,139 people were killed and about 250 injured. Was taken prisoner.

In June, as US ceasefire proposals failed, even his key ally, US President Joe Biden, accused Netanyahu of prolonging the war on Gaza for political reasons.

Former Defense Minister Yoav Galant and Benny Gantz, one of Netanyahu’s key allies, both made the same accusation against Netanyahu.