Hamas has dismissed recent suggestions of progress in ceasefire negotiations with Israel as mere “illusions,” following U.S. President Joe Biden’s optimistic remarks about nearing a potential agreement. Despite Biden’s statement on Friday that the sides are “closer than we have ever been,” a senior Hamas official told the BBC that no meaningful advancements have been made and criticized the mediators for presenting unrealistic prospects.
President Biden’s comments came after two days of U.S.-backed talks in Qatar, aimed at bridging gaps between Israel and Hamas. The U.S., along with Qatar and Egypt, has proposed a ceasefire and a deal on hostages, hoping to mitigate the ongoing conflict. However, Israel has maintained that any agreement must include the release of the remaining hostages, with 111 still held, and 39 presumed dead.
The violence has been devastating. Following an unprecedented Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in about 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages, Israel launched a major military campaign in Gaza. The Gaza health ministry reports over 40,000 casualties since the conflict began.
A previous ceasefire in November led to the release of 105 hostages in exchange for a week-long truce and the release of 240 Palestinian prisoners. Despite some hostages being freed, relatives of those still in Gaza view the current negotiations as a critical opportunity to secure their release.
The U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators have described the recent discussions as “serious and constructive,” with technical teams continuing to work on the details of a potential agreement. Senior government officials are expected to reconvene in Cairo to further negotiate the terms presented in Doha.
While President Biden remains hopeful, both Hamas and Israeli officials have shown skepticism. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that a “total victory” over Hamas is a primary goal of his administration, raising doubts about the sincerity of his commitment to a ceasefire. Hamas’s new leader, Yaya Sinwar, also remains unyielding, with no visible signs of compromise from his side.
Amidst the stalled negotiations, Israel’s military operations in Gaza continue. An airstrike early Saturday morning killed 15 people, including nine children and three women, in the al-Zawaida neighborhood. The Israeli Defense Forces reported targeting “terrorists” in central Gaza but did not comment directly on the civilian casualties.
The conflict has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) expressing concern over the spread of polio in areas designated for humanitarian aid. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has stressed that “peace and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire” are essential to addressing the crisis.
As the situation remains dire, international mediators and affected parties continue to grapple with the complexities of reaching a ceasefire agreement amidst ongoing violence and significant obstacles.