In the ongoing talks between Hamas and Israel, the Islamist group has remained firm on its demand for a full end to the Gaza war as part of any agreement to release hostages. This comes as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump sets a January 20 deadline for action.
The Deadlock
For months, Hamas, Israel, and mediators from Qatar and Egypt have been trying to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza. The outgoing U.S. administration has pushed for a final effort to secure a deal before President Joe Biden takes office. However, the deadline, now linked to Trump’s inauguration, has not eased the stalemate.
Hamas insists it will free its remaining hostages only if Israel agrees to fully end its assault and withdraw its troops from Gaza. In response, Israel states it will not stop fighting until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are released. Both sides accuse each other of blocking the deal by sticking to conditions that have failed previous negotiations.
Accusations and Diplomatic Tensions
Israel’s Foreign Ministry director, Eden Bar Tal, has stated that Hamas is the only obstacle to releasing the hostages. He claims Israel is committed to reaching an agreement. Hamas official Osama Hamdan, however, blames Israel for undermining the peace talks and criticized U.S. President Trump for making “rash” statements, particularly his threat that there would be “hell to pay” if hostages aren’t freed before his inauguration.
Hamdan called for more diplomatic and disciplined language from Trump.
Signs of Progress?
A hopeful step came when a Hamas official confirmed that the group had cleared a list of 34 Israeli hostages who could be freed as part of an initial truce. This list includes female Israeli soldiers, as well as elderly and minor-aged civilians. However, Israeli authorities have not confirmed whether the hostages on the list are still alive.
Continued Violence
Despite these negotiations, violence continues. The ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza has killed nearly 46,000 Palestinians since October 2023. This violence began after Hamas fighters attacked Israeli territory, killing over 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages.
On Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 22 Palestinians across Gaza, including a deadly strike that killed four children in Khan Younis and eight others in Jabalia.
The Struggle for Medical Aid
The Gaza Health Ministry has urgently called for international help, asking for fuel to run generators and maintain medical services. As the humanitarian situation worsens, the conflict continues to devastate the region.
Ongoing Military Operations
The Israeli military claims to have gained valuable intelligence from Palestinian detainees, including a purported Hamas militant who detailed the group’s operations from a Gaza hospital. However, both Hamas and the Gaza Health Ministry deny any militant activity in the hospital.
The situation remains tense, with ongoing negotiations and military actions continuing to shape the future of Gaza.
