The dramatic rescue of four Israeli hostages in Gaza amid attempts to get Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire has raised questions about its impact on a deal as mediation talks show no sign of a breakthrough.
As images of smiling men and a woman being freed flooded television bulletins and news websites, tens of thousands of people took part in protests across Israel on Saturday, urging the government to reach a deal with Hamas to release those still imprisoned. people.
“Everyone, now!” chanted the crowd in Tel Aviv.
At the same time, Hamas launched this operation, Its health ministry said the incident killed more than 270 Palestiniansa “massacre”.
Under discussion is a three-phase plan announced earlier this month by U.S. President Joe Biden, which he described as an Israeli proposal. It would secure the release of the hostages and, most importantly, pave the way for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Notably, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly support the plan. This is not surprising as he faces pressure from multiple fronts and appears to be stuck between two options: a ceasefire or an alliance.
Families of the hostages and Israel’s international allies are calling for a deal.
Of those arrested in October, 116 remain in custody; more than a third of them have been officially declared dead, and the number is likely higher.
Opponents of the proposal include two of Mr Netanyahu’s far-right ministers, Itamar Bengvir and Bezalel Smotrich, details of which have not been made public.
They have threatened to quit the government if the deal goes ahead, which could lead to the collapse of Netanyahu’s coalition.
Gershon Baskin helped negotiate a deal with Hamas to release captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
“Anyone who thinks logically and rationally knows that the only way to succeed is to [the] The hostages’ return home was negotiated.
Benny Gantz resigns from emergency government Sunday’s meeting could give Mr Ben-Gevir and Mr Smotrich more power – and possibly put more pressure on Mr Netanyahu.
Gantz is described as a moderate and considered a possible candidate to be the next prime minister.
In Israel, much of the controversy over the current proposals revolves around the promise of a permanent cessation of hostilities—in other words, an end to the war.
Netanyahu insists that Israel will not accept any plan until Hamas’s military and governance capabilities are destroyed, language vague enough to give him a choice.
“I believe Netanyahu prefers his coalition to bringing our boys and girls home,” said Haaretz chief political correspondent Michael Hauser Tove, who is critical of the prime minister.
It’s a common suspicion in Israel and elsewhere: Mr Netanyahu is interested in prolonging the war for the sake of his own political survival.
“I think Netanyahu will only try to continue negotiations for the sake of his international needs and relations with President Biden. On the other hand, he will try to sabotage the negotiations because he wants to keep the alliance stable.
Hamas has yet to formally respond to the plans outlined by President Biden. One of its main demands is to ensure that the Israeli military does not resume attacks on the group after the hostages are released.
“In my experience with Hamas, Hamas has made its case and they’ve stood firm. How long can they last? I don’t know,” Mr. Baskin said.
“My opinion is that the longer Israel continues this war, the easier it will be to [Hamas] Recruiting from bereaved families and people who have lost their homes, the armed insurgency against Israel will continue as long as Israel remains in Gaza.
An Israeli rescue operation in Gaza that resulted in the death of an Israeli special forces officer was considered a success by the highest Israeli authorities, although the massacre in Nuserat was largely ignored in Israel.
“If anyone believes [Saturday’s] “This operation allowed the government to reach a deal, and they are just living in a fantasy,” Israeli political commentator Nahum Barnea wrote in the newspaper Novovevo.
“The opposite is true. The joy of successfully rescuing four people only demonstrates the need for an agreement.
Hours after the four freed hostages arrived at a hospital near Tel Aviv, Mr Netanyahu visited them and their families.
Notably, the incident occurred just before the end of the Jewish Sabbath, when official events are often quiet, and was accompanied by a flood of videos and photos released by his team.
“When things end badly, the Prime Minister doesn’t show up. He doesn’t call, either,” Avi Marciano, whose daughter Noa was killed in captivity, wrote on Facebook.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to the Middle East for his eighth trip to the region since the Hamas attacks, renewing efforts to push for a deal.
There are also growing concerns that without a ceasefire in Gaza, violence could escalate along Israel’s border with Lebanon, where the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement has launched almost daily attacks.
With wide gaps still existing between Israel and Hamas, U.S. pressure does not guarantee progress.
“This war is not going to end anytime soon… in theory it could go on for years,” Mr. Baskin said. “I really want to stay positive, but it’s hard to do that.”
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to the Middle East on Monday for his eighth trip to the region since Hamas attacks, renewing efforts to push for a deal.
There are also growing concerns that without a ceasefire in Gaza, violence could escalate along Israel’s border with Lebanon, where the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement has launched almost daily attacks.
With a wide gap still existing between Israel and Hamas, U.S. pressure does not guarantee progress.
“This war is not going to end anytime soon… in theory it could go on for years,” Mr. Baskin said. “I really want to be optimistic, but it’s hard to be optimistic.”
