Israel and Hamas trade blame for complications in ceasefire efforts

Israel and Hamas have accused each other of complicating ceasefire efforts as the two sides get closer to reaching an agreement that could potentially end the 14-month-old war in Gaza.

Despite optimism from both sides, local officials in Qatar say that sticking points remain over the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

On Wednesday, Hamas accused Israel of introducing new conditions related to the withdrawal from Gaza, the prisoners, and the return of displaced people, which it said was delaying the deal.

Israel’s government accused Hamas of reneging on understandings that have already been reached. However, both said discussions are ongoing.

The two sides seem closer than they have been in months to reaching a deal that would secure the release of dozens of hostages held in Gaza. However, despite sporadic talks over the past year that have previously come close, agreements have ultimately collapsed.

Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that Gaza’s “security will remain in the hands of the Israeli military” during a visit to the Gaza Strip’s Philadelphi corridor.

In a video released by the ministry, Katz said, “The military will be able to act in any way in order to remove threats,” adding that Israel will create “buffer zones” to protect Israeli communities.

During its 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel, Hamas and other groups took about 250 people hostages and brought them to Gaza.

A previous truce in November 2023 freed more than 100 hostages, while others have been rescued or their remains have been recovered over the past year.

Israel says about 100 hostages remain in Gaza — at least a third of whom it believes were killed during the attack or died in captivity.

Families of the hostages are becoming increasingly angry, calling on the Israeli government for a ceasefire before US President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in.

After Israel’s high-level negotiation team returned from Doha this week, hostage families held an emergency press conference in Tel Aviv, pleading for a ceasefire and a complete end to the war.

Shir Siegel, the daughter of Israeli-American Keith Siegel, whose mother was released after more than 50 days in captivity, said every delay could endanger their lives.

“There are moments when every second is fateful, and this is one of those moments,” she said.

If reached, the agreement would take effect in phases and include a halt in fighting, an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in aid to the besieged Gaza Strip, according to Egyptian, Hamas, and American officials.

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The last phase would include the release of any remaining hostages, an end to the war, and talks on reconstruction.

Israel’s bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza have killed over 45,000 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Video editor • Jerry Fisayo-Bambi