What changes did Hamas seek in UN’s Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal

NEW DELHI: The UN Security Council on Monday passed its first resolution backing a ceasefire plan to end the eight-month conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The US-sponsored resolution supports a cease-fire proposal announced by President Joe Biden, which the United States claims Israel has agreed to. It urges the militant Palestinian group Hamas to accept the three-phase plan.
The resolution was approved with a significant majority, as 14 out of the 15 Security Council members voted in favor, while Russia abstained.It calls on both Israel and Hamas to “fully implement its terms without delay and without condition.” The strong backing from the UN’s most influential body adds pressure on both parties to accept the proposal and move forward with the cease-fire plan. However, whether Israel and Hamas will agree to proceed remains uncertain. Both Israel and Hamas have yet to fully commit to the plan.
Here are the key points in the ceasefire talks.

Hamas and Israel’s positions

Hamas has accepted the broad outline of the ceasefire proposal but has requested amendments. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly challenged parts of the plan, raising doubts about Israel’s commitment. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on his eighth visit to the region since the conflict began on October 7, noted that negotiations will continue despite Hamas seeking numerous changes—some of which are feasible, while others are not.

Hamas’ view:

Hamas spokesman Jihad Taha said that the group’s requested amendments aim to guarantee a permanent ceasefire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan emphasized that Hamas has not introduced new ideas but accused Israel of rejecting proposals and claimed the US was aligning with its ally.

US perspective:

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan mentioned that many of Hamas’ proposed changes were minor and expected, but others deviated significantly from the UN Security Council resolution supporting the US plan. Sullivan asserted, “Our aim is to bring this process to a conclusion. Our view is that the time for haggling is over.”

Permanent ceasefire and withdrawal

One of the main points of contention is the cessation of hostilities. Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as conditions for releasing hostages. President Joe Biden’s proposal includes these elements, but Netanyahu is focused on dismantling Hamas’s military and governance capabilities to prevent future attacks. Israel’s reluctance to outline a postwar governance plan for Gaza, coupled with its rejection of a widely supported US proposal involving steps toward Palestinian statehood, further complicates the situation.

Release of hostages and prisoners

The proposed ceasefire plan includes an initial six-week phase during which Hamas would release some hostages, including women, older adults, and the wounded, in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from populated areas. This would allow Palestinian civilians to return home and increase humanitarian aid. However, the second phase, which aims to secure the release of all hostages and ensure Israel’s full withdrawal, presents significant challenges. Hamas fears that Israel may resume hostilities after the release of vulnerable hostages or introduce new demands that could derail negotiations. Israel’s UN ambassador, Gilad Erdan, emphasized that Israel cannot allow Hamas to retain power in Gaza, as it poses an ongoing threat.

Mistrust and internal pressures

The deep-seated mistrust between Israel and Hamas, who have fought five wars and are committed to each other’s destruction, complicates the ceasefire efforts. Netanyahu faces pressure from both the public, who demand the return of hostages even at the cost of a lopsided deal, and his far-right coalition partners, who oppose the US-backed plan and threaten to dismantle his government if the war ends without Hamas’s destruction. These ultranationalist allies advocate for reoccupying Gaza, promoting the “voluntary emigration” of Palestinians, and rebuilding Jewish settlements. The resignation of centrist political opponent Benny Gantz from the war Cabinet has left Netanyahu’s coalition more vulnerable than ever.

Future prospects

Despite the challenges, abandoning the ceasefire talks seems unlikely for both parties. For Israel, this would likely mean leaving numerous hostages in Gaza. For Hamas, it would prolong the suffering of Gazans and give Israel more time to target militants. Blinken hinted that negotiations cannot continue indefinitely, stressing that continual changes in demands could indicate a lack of good faith from one side. As negotiations progress, the international community will be watching closely to see if a sustainable ceasefire can be achieved.