The goal is to bridge the “remaining gaps” between Israel and the Islamist terrorist organization. This was announced by the mediating countries—Qatar, Egypt, and the USA—following two days of negotiations in Doha. Another meeting is scheduled in Cairo before the end of next week to reach an agreement under these circumstances. Until then, negotiators are expected to continue discussions to close the “remaining gaps.”

“The talks thus far have been serious, constructive, and conducted in a positive atmosphere,” the three countries stated in a joint announcement. “Technical teams” will work on unresolved implementation details in the coming days, focusing on humanitarian issues and the release of hostages held by Hamas, as well as prisoners in Israeli jails.

According to sources, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to arrive in Israel on Monday following his previously postponed trip to the Middle East. He will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as stated by a government official. Additionally, the Israeli delegation is anticipated to return from ceasefire discussions in Doha, Qatar, on Friday.

A representative from Hamas expressed caution regarding the conclusion of the latest round of ceasefire talks related to the Gaza conflict. The Hamas leadership received the outcomes of the Doha negotiations, but these results did not align with all the proposals presented by US President Joe Biden, which were communicated to the group on July 2, according to senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi, speaking to the German Press Agency.

From Hamas’s perspective, the negotiations should focus on ceasing hostilities, withdrawing the Israeli military from the Gaza Strip, facilitating the return of displaced individuals to their homes, reconstruction efforts, and ending the Israeli blockade of the coastal region. Further comments were not provided, and there was initially no official response from Israel regarding the recent round of talks.

Meanwhile, the Hezbollah-affiliated TV station Al-Manar aired a propaganda video featuring the militia, which apparently showcases an underground tunnel complex used for transporting rockets by truck. A voice in the video, attributed to Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, claims Hezbollah is stronger than ever due to its arsenal. The voice also issues a warning to Israel, stating that the country will confront an unexpected reality if it instigates a war against Lebanon. Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged fire for months, resulting in numerous civilian casualties on both sides of the border.

In May, President Biden proposed a plan to end the Gaza conflict in three phases. In the first phase, a specific group of hostages would be released during a six-week ceasefire, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. In subsequent phases, fighting would be permanently halted, remaining hostages would be freed, and reconstruction of the heavily damaged Gaza Strip would commence.

The fact that Yahya Sinwar assumed leadership of Hamas after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran makes a negotiated agreement less probable, as Jon Alterman from the US think tank CSIS previously noted. “Haniyeh was a willing mediator; Sinwar is a fighter.” With Sinwar in charge, it is now less likely that Hamas will consent to end hostilities under the terms of a ceasefire.

Currently, it is believed that 115 people are being held captive by Hamas, many of whom may already be deceased. In Israel, thousands continue to protest for an agreement to release the hostages. Many demonstrators accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of undermining a deal and yielding to the demands of his ultra-religious and right-wing extremist coalition partners, on whom he relies for his political survival. They oppose concessions to Hamas.

The Current State of Negotiations

The aim is to close the “remaining gaps” between Israel and the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas. This was announced by the mediating countries, Qatar, Egypt, and the USA, following two days of negotiations in Doha. Another meeting is planned in Cairo before the end of next week, with the goal of reaching an agreement under these conditions. In the interim, negotiators are continuing discussions to address the “remaining gaps.”

According to a joint statement from the mediators, “The talks so far have been serious, constructive and have taken place in a positive atmosphere.” Technical teams are set to tackle outstanding implementation details in the coming days, focusing on humanitarian issues, the potential release of hostages held by Hamas, and the fate of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

US Involvement in Negotiations

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to visit Israel following his recently postponed trip to the Middle East. During his visit, he will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Additionally, an Israeli delegation is anticipated to return from the Doha ceasefire talks on Friday, contributing further insight into the ongoing negotiations.

Hamas’s Position on Ceasefire Talks

A senior Hamas official, Mahmoud Mardawi, expressed caution regarding the outcomes of the latest negotiations, indicating that the discussions did not encompass all proposals put forth by US President Joe Biden during a previous communication on July 2. From Hamas’s perspective, the talks should pivot around several critical issues, including:

• Ending the ongoing war
• Withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip
• Facilitating the return of displaced Palestinians
• Reconstruction efforts in Gaza
• Lifting the Israeli blockade of the coastal area

As of now, no official statements have been released by the Israeli government concerning the latest negotiation outcomes.

Hezbollah’s Threats Amidst Ongoing Tensions

Meanwhile, tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border continue to escalate. A Hezbollah-affiliated TV station, Al-Manar, broadcast a propaganda video allegedly showcasing a complex of underground tunnels used for transporting rockets. Assertions made in the video claim Hezbollah is currently stronger than ever, suggesting that Israel will face an unexpected reality if it decides to initiate a war against Lebanon. Notably, cross-border hostilities have been a consistent issue, resulting in casualties among civilians on both sides.

Proposals for Ending the Gaza War

In May, President Biden outlined a phased approach to ending hostilities in Gaza. This proposal consists of three distinct phases:

1. A six-week ceasefire, during which a select group of hostages would be released in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
2. Permanent cessation of fighting, accompanied by the release of any remaining hostages.
3. Beginning reconstruction efforts in the heavily damaged Gaza Strip.

Challenges Faced in Negotiations

Leadership dynamics within Hamas may pose challenges to the negotiation process. The recent ascendance of Yahya Sinwar as head of Hamas following the death of Ismail Haniyeh raises concerns among observers. Jon Alterman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) suggests that Sinwar’s background as a fighter could make it less likely for Hamas to engage in negotiations for a ceasefire. “Haniyeh was a willing mediator; Sinwar is a fighter,” Alterman explained.

Hostage Situations and Public Sentiment

As negotiations proceed, there are ongoing concerns regarding hostages held by Hamas, with an estimated 115 individuals believed to be in captivity, some of whom may no longer be alive. In Israel, public sentiment is palpable, with thousands protesting for an agreement that prioritizes the release of these hostages. Many demonstrators point fingers at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleging that he undermines the negotiation process to appease his ultra-religious and right-wing coalition partners.

Potential Outcomes and Considerations

As discussions continue, several crucial outcomes remain on the table:

Conclusion of Current Negotiations

The ever-evolving situation in Israel and Gaza remains of paramount concern to mediators and global observers. As Qatar, Egypt, and the USA continue their diplomatic efforts, the focus remains on bridging the existing gaps between the parties involved and aiming for a lasting resolution to the ongoing conflict.