Politics

Israel-Gaza, media: Hamas asks to review some clauses of the agreement

Hamas recently asked for a few more hours to review several clauses in the agreement for the ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages, before presenting its final response. This was reported by the Saudi television network Al Arabiyaciting sources familiar with the deal. The talks are still ongoing. One of the main points still to be clarified concerns the specific parameters of the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from Gaza. According to officials, mediators are awaiting a map from Israel outlining those parameters. The same officials expect the agreement to be announced today or tomorrow via a joint statement from the United States, Qatar and Egypt, which played the role of mediators in the negotiation between Israel and Hamas. Yesterday evening the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu before calling an emergency meeting with the security leaders he stated: «I am ready for a prolonged ceasefire, provided that all the kidnapped people are released. It’s a matter of days or hours. We are waiting for Hamas’ response and then it can start immediately.” Furthermore, according to some sources, it was also agreed that «Israel will not prosecute the leaders of Hamas in the future and agreed not to re-arrest released prisoners.” A senior Hamas official told Reuters yesterday that the reason the terrorist organization has not yet submitted its final response to mediators is that “Israel has not yet submitted maps showing the planned withdrawal of its forces from the Gaza Strip.” Gaza.” Israel denied what was stated by a Hamas source, who had informed Reuters of a delay in responding to the draft agreement attributed to the failure to deliver maps on the withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from Gaza.

As he reports Times of Israelthe the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu He is engaged in consultations with the hostage negotiation team and with the top brass of the national security establishment. Talks in Doha are still ongoing, with the parties working on the final details to reach an agreement. But who gains and who loses from this agreement? We asked Irina Tsukerman American geopolitical analyst and board member of the Washington Outsider Center for Information Warfare.

«Emotionally, the release of the hostages, which could finally return the Bibas family, including the almost two-year-old Kfir, is deeply moving and long overdue. From a security perspective, the deal is a disaster. The administration Biden And Trump they get the immediate and short-term advantage of crediting the ceasefire and the breakthrough, while Netanyahu boasts the support of some families of the hostages, critics and diplomats without having to account to his strongest supporters who cannot do much or justify this agreement. Donald Trump He has only one mandate left and probably believes that Hamas will need more time to rebuild, meaning that his legacy as a great peacemaker will be secured and that he will gain diplomatic support from Arab countries and Muslim and left-wing voters. But the biggest winners are actually Hamas and Qatar. Hamas receives back 50 convicted terrorists who cannot be rearrested by Israel, and Hamas operatives are also immune from Israel’s searches. Hamas leadership in Doha and in Türkiye can remain in power to plan future attacks, while Gaza operators maintain local control and survive to fight another day, all while forcing the IDF out of Gaza.”

Could Hamas take advantage of this in the medium term?

«Without an international task force to prevent smuggling and ensure security, there is nothing stopping Hamas from reorganizing itself and immediately resuming smuggling. Turkey is likely to take over from Iran in moving weapons through Syria, and other proxies could return to assist sooner rather than later, especially if Trump makes a deal with Iran.”

If the agreement is finalized, will it also be a victory for Qatar?

« Yes. Qatar, reaps the reward for its shameful role in assisting Hamas in taking hostages and needlessly prolonging peace talks, despite having permitted the attack and kidnapping. Instead of being ostracized for sponsoring terrorism, Qatar is being elevated and validated as a regional mediator. Hamas and all other rogue regimes and terrorists learn once again that hostage diplomacy works and will return to the same path as soon as they have the chance.”