Israel is sending a delegation to Qatar on Monday for negotiations to extend a ceasefire in Gaza after cutting electricity to apply pressure on Hamas. Tensions continue, with Israel preferring to extend the current phase while Hamas seeks immediate discussions for further arrangements. With a fragile ceasefire in place, humanitarian conditions in Gaza are deteriorating, prompting criticism from international agents.
Israel is set to dispatch a delegation to Qatar on Monday to engage in negotiations aimed at prolonging the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, following its decision to cut off the region’s electricity supply to intensify pressure on Hamas. The initial phase of the agreement expired at the beginning of March without a consensus on subsequent arrangements to bring a conclusive end to the hostilities that commenced with Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023.
There are notable divergences in the approach to the negotiations; Hamas advocates for immediate discussions regarding the next phase, while Israel favors the extension of the current phase. In a recent statement, Hamas accused Israel of failing to adhere to the ceasefire agreement, asserting that Israel “refuses to commence the second phase, exposing its intentions of evasion and stalling.”
Reports indicate that a senior official from the Israeli domestic security agency, Shin Bet, will lead the delegation. Amid the ongoing impasse, Israel has suspended aid deliveries to Gaza and recently announced the cessation of electricity supply to the territory. Energy Minister Eli Cohen emphasized, “We will use all the tools at our disposal to bring back the hostages and ensure that Hamas is no longer in Gaza the day after the war.”
Israel’s recent decision mirrors earlier actions at the outset of the conflict, when a “complete siege” was imposed on Gaza, leading to a complete power shutoff that was only restored in mid-2024. In contrast, a Hamas spokesperson warned that this action would endanger the hostages held in Gaza, labeling it a “failed option” that threatens Israeli prisoners still in captivity.
Germany has expressed its disapproval of Israel’s actions, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Kathrin Deschauer stating that Gaza faces “again threatened with a food shortage” and that the electricity cut is unacceptable and violates international law. The primary power line supplying Gaza’s main desalination plant has been affected, resulting in Gazans relying predominantly on solar panels and fuel-powered generators for electricity, as hundreds of thousands are displaced and living in makeshift tents amid worsening living conditions.
Hamas has continuously called for the subsequent phase of the truce—facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States—to encompass a comprehensive exchange of hostages, full Israeli withdrawal, a permanent ceasefire, and the reopening of border crossings to alleviate the blockade. A Hamas spokesman urged mediators to ensure Israel’s compliance with the agreement’s terms as discussions advance.
In prior discussions, former US President Joe Biden had outlined a framework that included the release of hostages and an Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. US envoy Adam Boehler hinted at the possibility of reaching an agreement “within weeks” to facilitate the release of remaining hostages, although the situation remains precarious. Of the 251 hostages taken during the October 7 incident, 58 are still held in Gaza.
Since the initial ceasefire phase began on January 19, violence decreased significantly, leading to exchanges of hostages: 25 living Israeli individuals and eight deceased were traded for approximately 1,800 Palestinians in Israeli custody. However, after aid was halted on March 2, UN rights experts criticized Israel for “weaponising starvation,” with civilians in Gaza caught in a dire humanitarian crisis. One resident described the scarcity of goods in the market, stating, “The markets are empty… prices are high, and there is no income. The situation in Gaza is difficult.”
The conflict has proven catastrophic, resulting in substantial casualties on both sides—1,218 individuals in Israel, primarily civilians, and at least 48,467 fatalities in Gaza, predominantly civilians, according to verified reports from both parties involved.
In summary, as negotiations resume in Qatar to potentially extend the ceasefire in Gaza, significant tensions persist between Israel and Hamas. Israel’s recent cut to Gaza’s electricity supply adds pressure on Hamas amid calls for a hostages’ exchange and other concessions. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, exacerbated by aid halts and escalating pressures. The necessity for a comprehensive resolution remains imperative as international observers emphasize Israel’s obligations under international law.
Original Source: www.pasconewsonline.com
