Gaza Ceasefire Talks Stall Amid Political Tensions and…

Ceasefire talks in Cairo have stalled, unable to move into a second phase despite proposals. Hamas rejected the extension of the initial phase, with governance and humanitarian concerns looming large. Key players debate control over Gaza post-conflict, showcasing the complex political dynamics at play.

Ceasefire negotiations in Cairo regarding the situation in Gaza have stalled, as discussions have not progressed regarding a potential second phase of the truce. According to a Hamas representative, the talks yielded no results over the course of Friday and continued to show no signs of movement on Saturday, marking the conclusion of the first six-week ceasefire period.

Although Hamas is not directly involved in the discussions, it is coordinating with officials from Qatar and Egypt who are negotiating alongside delegations from the United States and Israel. After the negotiators departed Cairo on Friday night, there were no indications that they would reconvene on Saturday.

Israeli representatives arrived in Cairo with a proposal to extend the ceasefire’s initial phase for an additional six weeks; however, Hamas rejected this offer. The first phase primarily focused on the exchange of hostages and increasing aid to Gaza, while the anticipated second phase involves a complete Israeli withdrawal and a sustainable cessation of hostilities.

The proposed Israeli withdrawal would initially include retreating from the Philadelphi corridor along Gaza’s southern border. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has emphasized control of the buffer zone as a strategic necessity, agreed earlier this year to complete this withdrawal by 9 March, the 50th day of the ceasefire agreement.

However, any significant pullback risks destabilizing his rightwing coalition, possibly leading to elections that could jeopardize Netanyahu’s political future. Some analysts believe Netanyahu’s agreement to the ceasefire was under external pressures, such as from former President Donald Trump, who expressed skepticism that the negotiations would evolve past the current phase.

Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East special envoy, has urged that the second phase of the ceasefire should be activated to facilitate the release of the remaining 59 hostages, of which only 25 are presumed alive. Despite a general Israeli consensus on prioritizing the release of hostages, this viewpoint clashes with the Israeli far-right faction, which favors a focus on eradicating Hamas.

The original ceasefire agreement allows it to remain effective even without a consensus on extending into a second phase, provided that negotiations are conducted in good faith. Witkoff expressed willingness to return to the region if the talks progressed favorably, although it remained unclear whether he would proceed with this travel.

Disagreements continue over the governance of Gaza post-conflict. In early February, Trump’s controversial suggestion that the U.S. should “own” Gaza created confusion, with an implication of displacing its Palestinian population to establish a luxury resort area. The U.S. has not released further details regarding this proposal.

Israeli military officials recently presented a plan to UN representatives for increasing Israeli control over aid distribution in Gaza, indicating a more hands-on approach to administration of humanitarian efforts. Meanwhile, the Arab League is scheduled to convene on Tuesday to discuss Egypt’s reconstruction plan for Gaza, which includes initial phases for temporary housing of displaced Gazans.

A contentious issue is the leadership of Gaza, with different factions advocating for various models. The European Union and past U.S. administrations have supported a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) to oversee Gaza. However, Netanyahu has insisted that the PA has no role in Gaza’s future governance due to its diminished credibility among Palestinians.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid suggested in Haaretz that Egypt should assume responsibility for Gaza’s governance for a temporary period, allowing for reconstruction and the establishment of long-term self-governance. He proposed an initial eight-year control, extendable to 15 years, wherein Gaza would be administratively managed by Egypt until sustainable governance conditions are created.

The negotiations to extend the Gaza ceasefire have reached a standstill, primarily due to disagreements regarding the terms for a second phase. While various proposals are on the table, significant political challenges remain for Israeli leadership. The ongoing humanitarian crisis and governance issues further complicate the path forward, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive and sustainable resolution in the region.

Original Source: www.theguardian.com