03/20/2024

Gaza Cease-fire Remains Elusive

However, Hamas' position may be easing

Starkly different visions of how to end the war in Gaza are at the center of thorny and slow-moving negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha this week, with officials warning that a deal to halt the fighting and release some hostages could be weeks away, or upended entirely if Israel moves ahead with a planned assault on the southern city of Rafah.

For months, Hamas has insisted on a negotiated end to the conflict, including a permanent cease-fire in exchange for the release of hostages its fighters abducted from Israel on Oct. 7. Israel has vowed to continue the war until the group, which has controlled Gaza for 16 years, is eliminated. Any suspension of hostilities would be temporary, Israel says.

"This is not a negotiation that will end in days — it will end, maybe, in weeks," said an Israeli official briefed on the talks who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.