Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel, Hamas at ‘closest point’ – Qatar
- Mediator Qatar says a Gaza ceasefire deal is at the closest point it has been in the past few months, adding that many of the obstacles in the negotiations have been ironed out.
- As ceasefire negotiations advance, residents in Gaza are expressing “a mixture of optimism and deep-seated scepticism”, according to our team on the ground.
Netanyahu to hold urgent meeting on deal, but opposition remains
There certainly is optimism among Israeli officials, including the prime minister himself, who, according to Israeli media, is going to be holding an urgent security consultation tonight with the top brass to try and finalise some of those details, to discuss this deal that’s currently on the table.
But you also have some officials who are still quite cautious, saying that while they are in the final stretch, while the larger details have been finalised, it’s now down to the minutia and what Israel and Hamas are going to be willing to give up.
Remember that Benjamin Netanyahu, for more than a year, has said that even if a pause in the fighting is secured, he would still want to return to the fighting to achieve all of the military objectives that he set out after the war on Gaza began. So it’s still unclear if this ceasefire deal would be an ultimate end to the war, or if it’s just a pause in the fighting.
Netanyahu is facing opposition to the deal not just from members of the far right, including ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, but people in his own Likud party. In fact, 10 people in his coalition signed a letter saying that they would not be on board with this ceasefire deal.
US stresses need for ‘political horizon’ for Palestinians
Blinken says countries in the region will be reluctant to invest in the reconstruction and future of Gaza without a “political horizon” to resolve the broader conflict.
“There’s a very strong and widely held belief in the region and beyond that dealing with the threat posed by Hamas militarily may be necessary, but it’s insufficient,” he said.
“And absent a political dimension, what we’re looking at ultimately is an enduring insurgency that will bleed and drain Israel and a perpetual war.”
Blinken says ‘heavy lifting’ for Israel-Saudi Arabia deal is done
The US secretary of state says Washington has already finalised “complex issues” relating to a possible deal that would formalise diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
That includes:
- “A strategic alliance agreement that establishes Saudi Arabia as a treaty ally of the United States”
- “A defence cooperation agreement that enhances military coordination and builds integrated capabilities”
- “An energy agreement that includes civil nuclear cooperation and an economic agreement to bolster bilateral trade and investment for both sides”
However, Blinken said Saudi Arabia wants to advance efforts for Palestinian statehood as part of the deal. Last month, Netanyahu’s office denied reports that Israel would agree on a path to Palestinian statehood as part of an agreement with Saudi Arabia.
“Prime Minister
Blinken criticises Israeli policies towards Palestinians
Despite providing billions of dollars to Israel and voting against several UN resolutions aimed at ending the Israeli occupation, the US has issued a rare criticism of Israeli policies towards Palestinians.
Blinken said Israel must acknowledge that Palestinians will never accept “being a non-people without national rights”.
“Israelis must abandon the myth that they can carry out de facto annexation without cost and consequence to Israel’s democracy, to its standing, to its security,” he said.
Blinken added that establishing “time-bound” conditions for Palestinian statehood will allow other countries to provide the security forces and financial support for the Gaza “day after” plan.
The top US diplomat also criticised Israel for withholding Palestinian taxes from the PA, the “unprecedented growth in illegal outposts” in the occupied West Bank and the rise in settler violence.
Despite such criticism, the Biden administration has provided Israel with a record amount of military assistance, promising “ironclad” US support for the Israeli government.
Gaza media office warns of Israeli ‘treachery’ amid ceasefire talks
In a post on Telegram, the media office warned residents of Gaza to remain wary, even as ceasefire talks appear to be reaching a final stage.
The office warned of “treachery” from Israeli forces as the talks proceed. It further warned that Israeli attacks have in the past escalated when talks appeared to be close to a breakthrough.
It called for “complete vigilance and the utmost caution at this sensitive stage”.
Benjamin Netanyahu has acted, and is acting, against the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger the security of Israel,” the Israeli government said in December.
Two Palestinians killed in Israeli air strike on Gaza City: Report
The Palestinian news agency is reporting that two Palestinians have been killed and others injured in an Israeli air strike on Gaza City.
Wafa stated that an Israeli fighter jet carried out the deadly air strike on a group of civilians in the vicinity of a junction in the city.
