Will Gaza See A Ceasefire By Next Monday? Biden Aims Amid Qatar Talks, While Netanyahu Plans To 'Go In'

The aim is to start a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza by next Monday (March 4), as expressed by US President Joe Biden. Negotiations in Qatar, also focusing on securing the release of hostages, indicate progress, with both sides participating in proximity talks, meeting mediators separately but in the same city.

These talks suggest advancements beyond previous discussions, notably since Israel rejected a Hamas counter-offer for a four-and-a-half-month truce at the beginning of February.

WATCH | Gaza Ceasefire By Next Monday: Biden

On Monday, it was expressed by Biden that he hoped a ceasefire would commence within days. He mentioned his aspiration for the ceasefire to commence by the beginning or end of the weekend when questioned about the expected timeline. During a visit to New York, Biden informed reporters that his national security adviser indicated proximity to reaching a ceasefire, with hopes pinned on achieving it by the following Monday, reported Reuters.

American negotiators have been vigorously advocating for a pause-for-hostages deal by the onset of Ramadan on March 10, with top US officials dedicating efforts to the matter the previous week. The source of optimism is attributed to meetings between Israeli and Qatari representatives.

In public statements, both Israel and Hamas maintain positions significantly divergent on the prospects of a truce, while mutually assigning blame for any delays. Following a meeting with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Ismail Haniyeh, the reclusive head of Hamas, asserted his group's commitment to seeking an end to the conflict and accused Israel of prolonging the suffering of Gazans.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel's readiness for a deal, placing the onus on Hamas to relinquish demands he deemed unreasonable. Al Thani's office disclosed discussions between Al Thani and the Hamas chief regarding Qatar's efforts to broker an immediate and permanent ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Earlier reports indicated that an Israeli working delegation had travelled to Qatar to establish an operational centre to facilitate negotiations, including the vetting of proposed Palestinian militants sought by Hamas for release in a hostage exchange. Israel's public stance remains firm, indicating no intention to cease hostilities until Hamas is neutralized, while Hamas insists on a comprehensive agreement to end the conflict before releasing hostages.

Israel is facing pressure from its primary ally, the United States, to promptly agree to a ceasefire to prevent a threatened assault on Rafah, where over half of Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants are seeking shelter, amid concerns from Washington of potential catastrophic consequences.

'We'll Go In", says Netanyahu

Netanyahu maintained that an assault on Rafah was still under consideration, emphasizing Israel's readiness to evacuate civilians to safety. When questioned about the possibility of Washington's opposition to such an attack, Netanyahu asserted Israel's autonomy in decision-making but underscored the priority of ensuring civilian evacuation.

The momentum in negotiations appeared to intensify following discussions held on Friday (February 23) in Paris, where Israeli officials engaged with delegations from the US, Egypt, and Qatar to deliberate terms of a hostage release deal. Notably, Hamas was not part of these discussions.

Since Hamas's actions resulting in 1,200 fatalities and the capture of 253 hostages on October 7, 2023, Israel has initiated a comprehensive ground assault on Gaza, resulting in nearly 30,000 confirmed casualties, according to Gaza health authorities.

In a development potentially influencing longer-term negotiations, the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited civil control in certain areas of the West Bank, announced his resignation on Monday. Mohammad Shtayyeh cited his resignation as a step to facilitate the establishment of a broad consensus among Palestinians regarding political arrangements post the Gaza conflict.

The Palestinian Authority, recognized by Western nations as the official representative of Palestinians, lost control of Gaza to Hamas in 2007. As part of an overarching solution to govern Palestinian territories, including Gaza post-war, Washington has advocated for reforms within the Palestinian Authority.