Hezbollah and Hamas meet to discuss end of Gaza war
As the death toll of Israel’s offensive in Gaza reaches 38,011, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas deputy chief Khalil Al-Hayya met on July 5th to discuss the possibility of a ceasefire, according to Asharq Al-Awsat and the National.
The two organisations assessed “the latest security and political developments” in a statement released by Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group that has been fighting Israel from southern Lebanon.
The current negotiations, proposals and “atmosphere” of talks that Hamas was engaging with Israel were also discussed, according to the statement. Hezbollah reaffirmed their enthusiasm to “reach an end to the treacherous aggression against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip,”.
The meeting comes as a senior US administration official announced on July 4th that Hamas had made a significant adjustment in its position with Israel regarding the potential release of hostages. Hamas expressed their hope that such an action would lead to a pact, providing an essential step to a permanent ceasefire.
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Hamas’ new position is that it is now willing to accept international guarantees that talks on a permanent ceasefire, or “sustained calm”, would be initiated at the beginning of the first phase and conclude before its end. Hamas’ initial proposal demanded an Israeli commitment in writing to a permanent ceasefire and the release of the remaining 120 hostages following President Joe Biden’s plan.
A Hamas statement also said that Ismail Haniyeh, considered the chief political leader of Hamas, had contacted Egyptian and Qatari mediators about ideas on moving towards an agreement. The softened position from Hamas comes after Hezbollah’s launching of 200 missiles into Israel, further escalating tensions in the region.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Israeli forces were prepared to act against Hezbollah but preferred a negotiated agreement. Hezbollah, however, asserted that it would continue its attacks on Israel until the country halted its bombing of the Gaza Strip.
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The only truce in the war was brokered by the US and its Arab allies Egypt and Qatar, resulting in the release of 110 Israeli hostages and 240 Palestinian prisoners. The pause of fighting lasted a week, ending on December 1st.
Hamas’ softened position also includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, a difference from their previous demands of a complete pullout from the enclave by the end of the first phase.
The Palestinian militant group does, however, remain adamant that all 350 prisoners incarcerated in Israel need to be released in return for the remaining Israeli hostages. Sources have revealed that Hamas is now open to the release of prisoners over the plan’s three phases.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Mossad chief David Barnea to meet mediators in Qatar to discuss a ceasefire deal and the release of hostages in Gaza on July 5th. The possibility of reaching a solution has given optimism to the US administration and other governments in the Middle East.
Asharq Al-Awsat / The National and agencies
