Gaza Strip Ceasefire to Begin on Sunday Despite Last-Minute Negotiations
The Gaza Strip ceasefire is expected to begin on Sunday as planned, despite the need for negotiators to tie up a "loose end" at the last minute, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Negotiations Ongoing
With longstanding divisions apparent among ministers, Israel delayed cabinet meetings to ratify the ceasefire with Hamas, and media reports said voting could occur Friday or even Saturday, although the deal is expected to be approved. Israel blamed the militant group for the hold-up, even as Israeli warplanes pounded Gaza in some of the most intense strikes for months. Palestinian authorities said at least 86 people were killed in the day since the truce was unveiled.
Hamas Remains Committed
Hamas senior official Izzat el-Reshiq said the group remained committed to the ceasefire deal, which is scheduled to take effect from Sunday to halt 15 months of bloodshed.
U.S. Official Optimistic
"It’s not exactly surprising that in a process and negotiation that has been this challenging and this fraught, you may get a loose end," Blinken told a press conference in Washington. "We’re tying up that loose end as we speak." A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the parties were making good progress in ironing out the last-minute obstacles. "I think we’re going to be okay," the official told Reuters.
Last-Minute Dispute
Earlier, the official said the sole remaining dispute was over the identities of some prisoners Hamas wanted released. Envoys of President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump were in Doha with Egyptian and Qatari mediators working to resolve it, the official said.
Inside Gaza
Inside Gaza, joy over the truce gave way to sorrow and anger at the intensified bombardment that followed the announcement. Tamer Abu Shaaban’s voice cracked as he stood over the tiny body of his young niece wrapped in a white shroud on the tile floor of a Gaza City morgue. She had been hit in the back with shrapnel from a missile as she played in the yard of a school where the family was sheltering, he said.
Ceasefire Accord
The ceasefire accord emerged on Wednesday after mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the U.S. to stop the war that began with deadly Hamas attacks on Israel and saw Israeli forces kill tens of thousands of Palestinians and devastate Gaza. The deal outlines a six-week initial ceasefire with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces. Dozens of hostages taken by Hamas would be freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel.
Humanitarian Aid
It paves the way for a surge in humanitarian aid for Gaza, where the majority of the population has been displaced, facing hunger, sickness and cold. Rows of aid trucks were lined up in the Egyptian border town of El-Arish waiting to cross into Gaza, once the border is reopened.
Wider Benefits
Peace could also have wider benefits across the Middle East, including ending disruption to global trade from Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement which has attacked ships in the Red Sea. The movement’s leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said his group would monitor the ceasefire and continue attacks if it is breached.
Meeting Delayed
Israel’s acceptance of the deal will not be official until it is approved by the security cabinet and government. A vote had been expected on Thursday, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed the meeting, accusing Hamas of making last-minute demands. "The Israeli cabinet will not convene until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement," Netanyahu’s office said.
Hardliners Oppose
Hardliners in Netanyahu’s government were still hoping to stop the deal, though a majority of ministers were expected to back it and ensure its approval. Hardline National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on Thursday he would resign from the government if it ratifies the Gaza deal. But opposition leader Yair Lapid told the prime minister in a post on X that he would "get every safety net you need to make the hostage deal," suggesting opposition lawmakers would support the government to ensure the return of hostages.
Palestinian Desperation
Palestinians said they were desperate for the bombing to stop as soon as possible. "We lose homes every hour. We demand for this joy not to go away, the joy that was drawn on our faces – don’t waste it by delaying the implementation of the truce until Sunday," said Mahmoud Abu Wardeh.
Conclusion
The Gaza Strip ceasefire is a crucial step towards ending the bloodshed and devastation in the region. While there are still some last-minute obstacles to overcome, the parties involved are working towards a peaceful resolution. The ceasefire will halt the fighting and allow for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, paving the way for a surge in humanitarian aid and a chance for the people of Gaza to rebuild their lives.
FAQs
Q: When is the Gaza Strip ceasefire expected to begin?
A: The ceasefire is expected to begin on Sunday as planned.
Q: Why is the ceasefire being delayed?
A: The parties involved are still working to resolve some last-minute obstacles, including the identities of some prisoners Hamas wants released.
Q: What does the ceasefire deal entail?
A: The deal outlines a six-week initial ceasefire with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the release of dozens of hostages taken by Hamas in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel.
Q: What are the wider benefits of the ceasefire?
A: The ceasefire could have wider benefits across the Middle East, including ending disruption to global trade from Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement and paving the way for a surge in humanitarian aid for Gaza.