A new round of negotiations aimed at brokering a ceasefire in the war in Gaza and preventing the fighting from escalating into a region-wide conflict has begun, as the death toll in the Palestinian territory reached a grim milestone of 40,000 people, according to local health authorities.
Mediators from the US, Qatar and Egypt met an Israeli delegation in the Qatari capital of Doha on Thursday afternoon, with talks expected to continue into the next day. Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, is not directly participating in the talks, meaning expectations of a breakthrough are low.
While Hamas and Israel agreed in principle last month to implement a three-phase plan publicly proposed by Joe Biden in May, both sides have since requested “amendments” and “clarifications”, leaving talks at an impasse. Gaps include the continuing presence of Israeli troops on the Gaza-Egypt border, the sequencing of a hostage release, and the return of civilians from southern to northern Gaza.
How the hell do you negotiate a ceasefire without one of the two parties shooting at each other negotiating?
You can’t. Hamas doesn’t seem to be interested in a ceasefire.
Do you think they actually believe they have a chance against the giant Israeli army? But what’s the point of negotiating with a group that only ever negotiates in bad faith?
Both sides aren’t arguing in good faith. Hamas is at a serious disadvantage as you are well aware but they have to resist acquiescing to Netanyahu’s constant moving the field goals. Their only hope is Harris wins the election and is convinced to reduce support to Israel or revoke their UN vetos which has imo low but at least non-zero odds.
Side note: No matter who wins the election they are constrained by a law that passed back in 2008 See QME I think that requires the US to ensure that Israel always has a ‘military advantage’ so that would have to get repealed first.
Edit: added citation
I think they believe they profit from the attack by the Israeli army.
They’ve seen what happened in Afghanistan. How a vastly superior military can occupy a country for 20 years and still not manage to achieve anything.
Any negotiated peace would instantly destroy Hamas’ source of power.
Profit how? What source of power?
Also, Afghanistan is huge with lots of places to hide. Gaza is not. They are not even remotely comparable.
You mean Israel. Hamas has been pushing for a ceasefire for a long time now. Israel keeps changing their demands and not doing even what little they did agree to do.
Then why is Hamas not participating in this meeting they were invited to join?
Because they have basic pattern recognition? Israel has not once operated in good faith during this entire mess. Whether or not it’s actually the best move, refusing to further engage with what will likely, based on previous experience, also be a complete waste of time is perfectly understandable.
Probably because Israel assassinated their last negotiator on Iranian soil
Are you fucking kidding me? That is the literal opposite of everything that has happened so far.