Gaza ceasefire deal 'unlikely' as Israel refuses to budge on conditions: Report

Israel has refused to budge on conditions put forward by it in the latest negotiations over a ceasefire in Gaza, which is likely to prevent a deal from being reached.

According to The National report, Israel has not moved from its position on almost all the contentious issues in the talks, including whether to withdraw all its troops from Gaza or relinquish control of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

Its positions are unlikely to be accepted by Hamas, the report added, citing the sources.

Sources said the Israeli positions were presented informally during the latest talks, which are taking place in Cairo and Doha.

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US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators are negotiating with representatives from Israel and Hamas ahead of another top-level round of talks expected this week involving CIA director William Burns, his Egyptian and Israeli counterparts, the Qatari Prime Minister and senior Hamas officials.

Hamas softens stance

In the latest development of ceasefire negotiations, Hamas softened its stance following US President Joe Biden’s proposal on May 31. Previously, Hamas had demanded written agreement from Israel for a permanent ceasefire before considering any deal. Now, the Palestinian group is seeking assurances from mediators that talks towards a permanent ceasefire will commence after an initial 42-day truce proposed by Biden takes effect.

Moreover, Hamas has expressed openness to a potential exchange involving Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and hostages currently in Hamas’ custody. The group has specified it wants certain detainees, including notable figures like Marwan Al Barghouti, released in staggered phases as part of any agreement.

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Meanwhile, Israel has yet to formally respond to these adjusted Hamas positions. Sources close to the negotiations suggest that Israel’s conditions, which include maintaining a security presence in Gaza and retaining control over the Rafah crossing and a strip along the Egypt-Gaza border, are not likely to be accepted by Hamas.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to a permanent ceasefire with Hamas, prompting criticism from opposition leaders concerned about the safety of hostages. Despite Netanyahu’s stance, he dispatched Mossad director David Barnea to Qatar and Shin Bet’s Ronen Bar to Cairo for discussions related to the ceasefire talks.

The negotiations, which kicked off in Cairo, are focusing on critical issues such as control over the Rafah crossing and the border strip. These areas were recently captured by Israel in May, triggering reactions from Egypt, including the closure of the crossing.

The talks are ongoing, with both sides under pressure to find common ground amid escalating tensions and international mediation efforts spearheaded by the United States, Egypt, and other regional players.

Israel refuses to budge

“Israel wants the Rafah crossing and the border strip controlled and run by an international contingent, as well as retaining a say in what goes on there,” The National quoted one source a saying. “It claims this is necessary to stop the smuggling of weapons through underground tunnels from Egypt and into Hamas’s hands,” said the source.

However, Egypt has categorically denied these allegations.

Israel has been strongly objecting to number of Palestinian prisoners Hamas is demanding to be released in exchange for hostages, which includes approximately 121 individuals, including about 40 who died in captivity, reported The National, citing sources familiar with the negotiations.

Israel has also refused to release certain high-profile inmates it holds, proposing instead that some of these detainees relocate outside the Palestinian territories upon their release — an idea Hamas has consistently rejected in previous negotiation rounds.

Israel also insists that Palestinians displaced in Gaza due to the conflict should undergo security screening before returning to their homes, according to the repot. This condition contrasts with Hamas’ position, which advocates for unconditional return to their homes for those displaced.

According to the UN, most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced since the onset of the conflict.

The US proposal

The US proposals include a “full and complete” six-week ceasefire that would see the release of several hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

During these 42 days, Israeli forces would also withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza and allow the return of displaced people to their homes in the north.

Hamas, Israel and the mediators would also negotiate the terms of the second phase that could lead to the release of the remaining male hostages, both civilians and soldiers. Israel would free additional Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

The third phase would see the return of any remaining hostages, including those killed, and the start of a years-long reconstruction project.

How the war unfolded

The Gaza war, which has claimed over 38,100 Palestinian lives so far, began with a Hamas-led attack in October that killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and resulted in about 240 hostages, with around 100 released during a November truce.

Israel’s relentless campaign since then has devastated most of Gaza’s urban areas, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis marked by widespread hunger and the looming threat of famine in northern Gaza.

According to the Associated Press, quoting officials from the Middle East and the US, Hamas’ softened stance on the US proposals was influenced by the extensive destruction in Gaza.

In contrast, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that ongoing military operations, including a two-month offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, forced Hamas into negotiations. He has consistently vowed to continue the conflict until Hamas is eliminated.

The Associated Press reported that internal communications it reviewed, including messages signed by senior Hamas figures in Gaza, urged the group’s leadership to accept the US proposals. These messages highlighted significant losses on the battlefield and dire conditions in the war-torn territory.

While it remains unclear if this internal pressure influenced Hamas’s flexibility, the messages revealed divisions within the group.

Despite Hamas’s denial of internal rifts, officials familiar with the group suggest its military wing, closely aligned with Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar, holds significant sway over key decisions.

With inputs from agencies