Hamas: No Short Truce Without Steps Toward Permanent Peace

Post by : Monika

Photo: Reuters

On July 18, a senior leader of Hamas said that the group would not accept a temporary pause in the fighting unless there are real steps toward a permanent ceasefire. Hamas is a political and military group based in Gaza. They made it clear during a televised message that they are open to freeing all hostages and stopping the war—but only if Israel shows that it wants a true, long-term peace.

Peace Talks in Qatar
For many weeks, peace talks have been taking place in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The main goal of these talks is to bring a stop to the war in Gaza, even if only for a short time. The negotiations are being led by Qatar and Egypt, with support from the United States.

• The temporary peace plan being discussed includes the following points:
• A 60-day ceasefire in Gaza.
• The release of 10 living Israeli hostages and the return of 18 bodies of others who died.
• In return, Israel would release several Palestinian prisoners.
• Israel would allow more aid, such as food and medicine, into Gaza.
• Israeli soldiers would pull back from some parts of Gaza, though not all areas.
• After these 60 days, the hope is that both sides would begin serious talks about a permanent ceasefire.
• So far, no final deal has been made, but people involved in the talks say both sides are slowly moving closer to an agreement.

What Hamas Wants
Hamas says they will only agree to a short-term ceasefire if it includes clear steps toward ending the war forever. They also said they are willing to free all remaining hostages and stop the war, but only if Israel agrees to real peace.

A top Hamas military spokesperson, Abu Ubaida, explained the group’s conditions. These include full access to humanitarian aid, withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and strong guarantees that the fighting will not start again after 60 days.

Hamas is also unhappy about a proposed buffer zone near Gaza’s border. They believe this would give Israel too much control. They are demanding a full pullout, not just a partial one.

What Israel Says
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded quickly. They said Hamas is not showing any true effort to agree to peace. Israel says it will only stop the war after Hamas is disarmed and its leaders are no longer in power.

• Israel has made its own list of demands:
• Hamas must give up all weapons.
• All Israeli hostages must be returned safely.

Earlier in the talks, Israel said it wanted to keep soldiers in certain parts of Gaza, especially along a narrow strip called the Philadelphi Corridor near Egypt. However, negotiators suggested reducing that plan. This smaller version was more acceptable to Hamas and the mediators.

The Heavy Human Cost
This war has already caused a terrible loss of life. The health ministry in Gaza reports that over 58,600 Palestinians have died. On the Israeli side, about 1,650 people, including both Israeli citizens and foreigners, have been killed since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

The war has also created a huge humanitarian crisis. Many people in Gaza are without basic needs like food, clean water, fuel, and medicine. Hospitals are struggling to treat the wounded, and many homes and farms have been destroyed. Water systems are also badly damaged, making it even harder for families to survive.

Relief organizations like the United Nations and the Red Cross are working to send help to Gaza. The current ceasefire plan includes allowing hundreds of aid trucks into Gaza each day, which would bring food, medical supplies, and fuel to those in need.

The Role of the Mediators
Qatar, Egypt, and the United States are playing a big role in the negotiations. These countries are helping both sides talk through their differences. They are trying to find solutions to key issues like where soldiers should be positioned, how aid can safely enter Gaza, and what the path to a permanent peace might look like.

According to officials involved, most disagreements have been reduced. The Prime Minister of Qatar is expected to meet with Hamas leaders again soon. The goal is to finalize the details and get both sides to agree.

Some international diplomats believe this short-term ceasefire could lead to a full peace agreement in the future. However, nothing is guaranteed, and both sides still have serious doubts about trusting one another.

Main Challenges and Roadblocks
Even though talks are continuing, several big problems remain:

Hostages vs. Prisoners: Hamas wants more Palestinian prisoners released than Israel is currently willing to free. At the same time, Israel wants all hostages returned quickly.

Troop Movement: Hamas wants all Israeli forces out of Gaza. Israel wants to keep some troops in key areas for security reasons.

Aid Delivery: Hamas claims that not enough aid is reaching Gaza. They say that even when trucks are allowed in, the supplies are not enough to help all the people who are suffering.

Political Pressure: Inside Israel, some right-wing politicians are against any deal that involves pulling back troops or freeing prisoners. Inside Gaza, some Hamas leaders worry that making a deal could weaken their power.

Why This Ceasefire Matters

• This war has become one of the worst in recent years. A 60-day ceasefire could help in many ways:
• Hostages could be reunited with their families.
• Fewer people would die or get injured.
• Humanitarian aid could reach thousands of people in need.
• It could open the door to long-term peace talks.

But Hamas has made it clear: this must be more than just a short break. They say the 60 days must lead to something permanent, or it’s not worth doing.

What’s Likely to Happen Next?
Now both sides have a choice:

They could agree to the 60-day ceasefire, return the hostages, allow aid into Gaza, and begin talking about permanent peace.

Or, they could disagree, causing talks to fall apart, and the war to continue.

Diplomats involved in the talks say a final answer could come in one to two weeks. Some people are hopeful, but others are doubtful because the gap between what both sides want is still large.

Trump’s Statement
Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently said that more hostages could be released soon as part of the plan. He spoke during a dinner event on July 18. His comments show that the U.S. is watching the situation closely and wants a peaceful outcome.

• Hamas wants a full and final peace, not just a short break in fighting.
• Israel wants to defeat Hamas completely before agreeing to any long-term deal.
• Mediators are pushing for a 60-day ceasefire that could lead to something lasting.
• The war has caused great suffering, especially in Gaza.
• The next few weeks will be critical in deciding whether peace is possible or if the war continues.

Permanent ceasefire