Last-Minute Problems with Ceasefire

On Wednesday evening it was confirmed that Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release proposal, but it still needed final approval by Israel’s government cabinet.

Early Thursday morning, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office issued the following statement:

“Hamas is reneging on the understandings and creating a last-minute crisis
that is preventing an agreement.

The Israeli cabinet will not convene until the mediators notify Israel
that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement.”

The proposed ceasefire is supposed to begin on Sunday 19th January, the day before Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President.

It should be implemented in three phases, with the first stage lasting 42 days and including some Israeli troop withdrawals, hostage releases and an increased flow of humanitarian aid.

But there are strongly divided opinions about whether it is a good deal. Many Israelis are concerned that it hands a victory to Hamas, allowing them to regain control of Gaza.

Mariam Wahba, of the Federation for the Defence of Democracies, explained that the Israelis have not agreed to stop the fighting completely because in the 42-day first phase we will likely see Hamas rearm, regroup, and continue to recruit more fighters, which is clearly unacceptable to Israel.

In the following interview with Israel’s Defence and Security Forum, Brigadier General in the Israeli Reserves Amir Avivi strives to give a balanced view on the proposed deal.