Hamas holds Netanyahu failure of Doha round of talks on Gaza ceasefire

CAIRO – 18 August 2024: The Palestinian Movement of Hamas held Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fully responsible for thwarting the mediators' efforts.

The movement stated that it is listening to the mediators regarding the recent talks held in Doha last Thursday and Friday, aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and negotiating a prisoner swap deal. The movement also noted that it was "once again assured that Netanyahu is still placing obstacles in the path of reaching an agreement, setting new conditions and demands, with the intention of undermining the mediators' efforts and prolonging the conflict."

The movement continued that the new proposal that was submitted by the US, in cooperation with Egypt and Qatar, responds to Netanyahu's conditions, especially his rejection of a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and his insistence on continuing to occupy the Netzarim axis [a line separates the Gaza City and north from the south of the strip], the Rafah Crossing, and the Philadelphi Corridor [the borderline between Egypt and the Gaza Strip; Israeli forces occupied the Palestine side of it during the ongoing war].

“Netanyahu also set new conditions for the prisoner exchange file, and backed down on other items, which prevent the completion of the prisoner swap deal,” the movement said.

Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to what we agreed upon on July 2nd, based on Biden's announcement and the UN Security Council resolution.

Additionally, the movement called on the mediators to fulfill their responsibilities and oblige the occupation to implement what has been agreed upon.

What are the points of contention?

Israeli media reported that no agreement was reached with the mediators regarding control of the Philadelphi Corridor, the Netzarim Corridor, and the number of Israeli prisoners to be released in the first phase.

In exclusive comments to Al Sharq Bloomberg, Hamas members revealed the details of the new American proposal regarding the Gaza agreement in the following points:

• Reducing the number of the Israeli forces in the Philadelphi corridor, not withdrawing from it.

• The Palestinian Authority would re-run the Rafah border crossing under Israeli supervision, the form of which has not yet been determined.

• Insisting on Israeli monitoring of the displaced Palestinians who would return to their homes in the north at the Netzarim axis, without determining its way of monitoring yet.

• Deporting a large number of Palestinian prisoners to be released in the prisoner swap deal outside Palestine.

• Israel would have the right to refuse to release no less than 100 prisoners.

• Not withdrawing from the Strip according to the text of the July 2 paper.

• Relief is conditional on approval of the above items.

• A permanent ceasefire will be discussed in the second phase within a specific deadline, and if "Hamas" does not agree to the Israeli demands, the army will return to the war and implement its military operations.

• Negotiations on the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and lifting the siege would depend on the results of the negotiations that will follow the implementation of the first phase.

New Round of Talks in Cairo

Israeli media reported that an Israeli delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo on Sunday evening to resume discussions on the ceasefire talks. Additionally, it was reported that a delegation from the Palestinian Authority is expected to visit Cairo within a few days to discuss the administration of the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported on Sunday that Netanyahu has granted the negotiating delegation heading to Cairo limited powers that do not permit reaching agreements.

Top negotiators from Egypt, Qatar, Israel and the United States held talks in the Qatari capital on Thursday and Friday as per a joint call by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and President Biden.

The stepped-up efforts to reach a ceasefire also arrive against the backdrop of an increasingly turbulent regional climate.

Israel and the US are on high alert for imminent retaliatory actions from Iran against Israeli targets following the recent assassinations of senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas political bureau leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran by Israeli forces.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has vowed severe repercussions for Israel at an appropriate time and place for Shukr's killing, indicating that Hezbollah's attacks may extend beyond military targets.

Heightened tensions have been exacerbated by warnings from Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, both supported by Iran and longstanding adversaries of Israel, threatening severe repercussions in response to the recent killings.

Abbas plans to be in Gaza

The Palestinian Authority has begun its movements and communications worldwide to prepare for the visit of President Mahmoud Abbas and members of the Palestinian leadership to the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian News Agency FAWA reported on Sunday.

The visit aims – as it was reported- at supporting the Palestinians who are being subjected to a war of genocide there, and to “emphasize that the State of Palestine and the Palestine Liberation Organization have jurisdiction and responsibility over the entire territory of the State of Palestine, and to work to restore national unity,” WAFA added.

The authority added that communication was made with the United Nations, the permanent member states of the Security Council, officials in the Arab and Islamic countries, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the European and African Unions, and other important countries and powers in the world, to ensure the success of this step, and to provide support and participation to whoever is possible. Israel was also informed of this.

On August 15, Abbas announced at the Turkish Parliament that he and members of the Palestinian Authority would head to the besieged Gaza Strip, calling for securing his visit to it. It is worth mentioning that Gaza has been run by the Hamas movement since 2007 after a disagreement with the Fatah movement, to which Abbas is affiliated. Since then, Israel has imposed a blockade against the Strip due to Hama’s control over it.

Also, Abbas’ movement coincides with the new US proposal for the ceasefire in Gaza, which conditions that the Palestinian Authority should re-run the Strip, in a move to get rid of Hamas in the strip.

Non-stop killings against Palestinians

Just few minutes after Hamas released its response to the latest round of negotiations, Israeli occupation forces launched heavy and continuous artillery shelling in Hamad City, north of Khan Younis.

Also, gunfire was reported from the vehicles invading the Al-Jafrawi area east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.

Hamas leader Izzat Al-Rishq said in a statement that the Israeli cabinet ordered its Nazi army to increase “the intensity of the fighting in Khan Younis and Rafah” to improve the enemy’s negotiating position in the ceasefire talks. He added that this is a renewed insistence on Israel’s fascist approach against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and an insistence on their brutal behavior in targeting defenseless civilians.

Since the outbreak of the war on October 7 as of August 16, 2024, Israel has killed 50,005 Palestinians, including 40,005 whose bodies were admitted to hospitals, 16,479 children [including 115 children born and killed during the war], and 11,102 women. Israel also injured 92,401 others.

Additional reporting by Amr Mohamed Kandil