Ceasefire Talks in Doha Pause Amid Progress, U.S. Pushes for Final Agreement

Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, which have been taking place in Doha, were paused on Friday, with discussions set to resume next week. The talks, aimed at ending the ongoing conflict and securing the release of remaining hostages, have made progress, but as U.S. President Joe Biden stated, “we’re not there yet.”

Gaza ceasefire talks paused with resumption planned next week.@JyotsnaKumar speaks to @HastingsDunn, professor of International Politics in the Department of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Birmingham, for more insights#IranIsrael pic.twitter.com/KaL1yfu9YT

— WION (@WIONews) August 17, 2024

The U.S., Qatar, and Egypt issued a joint statement, revealing that Washington had presented a new proposal designed to bridge remaining gaps. This proposal builds on agreements made over the past week and could lead to a swift implementation of a ceasefire. The statement emphasized that the path is now clearer for saving lives, providing relief to Gaza’s people, and reducing regional tensions.

The renewed round of talks began on Thursday, with Israel and international mediators engaging in discussions to end the devastating conflict in Gaza, which has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives. Although Hamas was not directly involved in the talks, they were kept informed of the proceedings. A senior Hamas official, Izzat al-Rishq, indicated that Israel had failed to honor previous agreements, according to information provided by the mediators.

In Washington, President Biden expressed optimism, stating that a deal was “much, much closer” than before. A senior U.S. official noted that the latest negotiations had been the most productive in months, with significant progress made on various issues. Biden has instructed his team to continue pushing for the comprehensive proposal, which he believes could serve as the foundation for a final ceasefire and hostage release agreement.

Biden also held discussions with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, both of whom expressed strong support for the U.S. proposal. Senior officials from these nations are expected to meet in Cairo before the end of the week to continue working toward a resolution. Additionally, Biden announced that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken would visit Israel to reaffirm U.S. support and to stress the importance of not undermining the ongoing peace process.

Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha were paused with negotiators to meet again next week seeking an agreement to end fighting between Israel and Hamas and free remaining hostages https://t.co/emmGBIF2cF pic.twitter.com/R4NfLVSYJ3

— Reuters (@Reuters) August 16, 2024

Despite the progress, Biden cautioned that the situation remains fragile and far from resolved. He underscored that any potential ceasefire would need to be carefully negotiated, as Israel has insisted that peace is only possible if Hamas is eliminated, while Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire.

Further complicating the negotiations are issues such as the sequencing of the deal, the release of Palestinian prisoners alongside Israeli hostages, and control over the Gaza-Egypt border. An Israeli official noted that the delegation in Doha was returning home, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expected to meet with Blinken on Monday.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen. On Friday, Israeli forces intensified their strikes across the densely populated region, prompting the United Nations to call for a week-long pause in fighting to conduct a polio vaccination campaign. The Palestinian health ministry reported the first confirmed case of polio in Gaza.

The ongoing hostilities trace back to October 7, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of around 250 hostages. Israel’s military response has led to the deaths of more than 40,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Palestinian health officials. The conflict has also displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, sparked a hunger crisis, and prompted allegations of genocide at the World Court, which Israel denies.

Amid these developments, regional tensions remain high. The Israeli delegation in Doha included top security officials, while the U.S. was represented by CIA Director Bill Burns and Middle East envoy Brett McGurk. Washington is keen to secure a ceasefire to prevent the conflict from spreading, particularly after Iran threatened retaliation following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. The U.S. has deployed significant military resources to the region to deter potential attacks on Israel, with warnings issued to Tehran against launching a major missile strike.

Gaza ceasefire talks paused with resumption planned next week

Follow our live Gaza coverage:https://t.co/eLhbMgbatd pic.twitter.com/ryiRb45Jxr

— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) August 17, 2024

Major Points:

• Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha were paused, with plans to resume next week as progress continues.
• The U.S., Qatar, and Egypt presented a new proposal aimed at bridging gaps in the negotiations, which could lead to a ceasefire and hostage release.
• President Biden expressed optimism, stating that a deal is “much, much closer,” but emphasized that the situation remains fragile.
• The conflict has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths, with the U.N. calling for a pause in fighting to address a polio outbreak.
• The U.S. has deployed military resources to the region, warning Iran against escalating the conflict, particularly after the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran.

Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News