Hamas-Israel Ceasefire Talks Face Steep Challenges
Plus: Israeli Strikes Hit Lebanon's Baalbek Region, US Military Member Sets Himself Ablaze, Palestinian Authority PM resigns, and more than 30,000 Palestinians killed since October 7.
Hello and welcome to Inshallah! I’m here to bring you the top stories from the Middle East every week. Come along on this journey with me to stay informed about the latest news and trends in the region.
Hamas-Israel Ceasefire Talks Face Steep Challenges
The negotiations between Hamas and Israel for a temporary ceasefire are under increasing pressure. Both parties have distanced themselves from a statement made by U.S. President Joe Biden, who expressed hope for a ceasefire by Monday.
Simultaneously, Hamas has urged Palestinians to march to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque at the beginning of Ramadan. This has heightened tensions in the ongoing negotiations, which are being rushed to begin before Ramadan, which is expected to begin on March 10.
However, much work remains to be done in order to achieve such an outcome.
The circulating information online outlines a framework where Israeli hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, alongside an increase in aid supplies to Gaza. This aid includes equipment and fuel for initiating the reconstruction process. Additionally, Palestinian women, children, and elderly individuals would be allowed to return to the northern part of the strip.
Under the proposed agreement, both sides would cease all military operations. Israel would relocate its troops from densely populated areas and suspend drone surveillance for eight hours daily. Hamas would release 40 Israeli hostages, including women, children, young adults under 19 years old, individuals over 50, and those who are sick. However, men of military age would not be included in this arrangement.
In return, Israel would release 400 prisoners, at a ratio of 10 for every freed hostage. Israel would also allow 500 trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza each day, along with 200,000 tents and 60,000 caravans to accommodate the displaced population.
Furthermore, fuel and equipment for rebuilding hospitals and bakeries would be permitted into Gaza, with Hamas committing not to employ these resources for threatening Israel.
In the previous deal in November 2023, Hamas released 105 civilians, including 81 Israeli women and children, along with 23 Thai nationals and one Filipino. Israel reciprocated by releasing 240 prisoners, including 107 children, 66 18-year-old boys, and several women, with three-quarters not convicted of any crime.
Reports indicate that Hezbollah in Lebanon is willing to cease fire against Israel on the condition that Hamas in Gaza agrees to a truce with Israel.
This comes after ongoing clashes between Hezbollah and Israel along Lebanon's southern border since October 8, following a Hamas attack in Israel.
Meanwhile, it remains unclear whether the Houthis, engaged in conflict with the U.S. Navy and allies while attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea, will adhere to the ceasefire timeline. They have stated that their actions are linked to the Gaza conflict and will only stop when Israel ceases operations.
Efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza have also intensified to prevent a potential Israeli assault on the city of Rafah, where over a million displaced people are seeking shelter at the southern edge of the enclave.
Israel has threatened to attack the city if a truce agreement isn't reached soon, despite warnings from Washington about the risk of significant civilian casualties.
Furthermore, more countries are opposing the potential invasion of Rafah. Qatar and France have recently expressed their opposition to an Israeli invasion of the southern city. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that the assault on Rafah would proceed even if a ceasefire agreement for Gaza is reached with Hamas.
Israeli Strikes Hit Lebanon's Baalbek Region, First Since Gaza Conflict
On Monday, at least two Israeli strikes targeted the vicinity of Lebanon's city of Baalbek, marking the first bombardment in eastern Lebanon since the Gaza conflict began.
Baalbeck is located in Lebanon's Beqaa Valley and is both a political stronghold of Hezbollah and an important agricultural and transport hub for Lebanon.
The exchange of fire between Hezbollah and the Israeli military along Lebanon's southern border has been ongoing since October when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in support of Hamas in Gaza.
Earlier that day, Hezbollah claimed to have shot down an Israeli Hermes 450 drone over Lebanese territory.
US Military Member Sets Himself Ablaze at Israeli Embassy
On Sunday afternoon, a member of the U.S. military set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington as a protest against the situation in Gaza.
Identified as Aaron Bushnell, the 25-year-old active-duty airman died later that day after being taken to the hospital.
Bushnell, in uniform, livestreamed the incident on Twitch, declaring his refusal to be complicit in what he termed as genocide.
Despite downplaying his act of self-immolation compared to the suffering of Palestinians, he shouted "Free Palestine!" while engulfed in flames.
The video went viral on various social media platforms. Messages of sympathy and solidarity flooded social media platforms in support of Bushnell.
Palestinian Authority PM Shtayyeh resigns
The Palestinian Authority (P.A.) Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh resigned this week.
Shtayyeh cited the need for new arrangements to address the evolving situation in the Gaza Strip.
President Mahmoud Abbas has accepted his resignation, potentially opening the door for a technocratic government.
Abbas faces pressure from the U.S. to reform the P.A. so it can administer Gaza post-Israel-Hamas conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent proposal for post-war in Gaza omitted any role for the P.A., prompting Shtayyeh's decision.
Abbas stated that the move was prompted by political, security, and economic developments in Gaza and the escalating situation in the West Bank, including Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, Abbas has requested Shtayyeh and his cabinet to continue in a caretaker capacity until a new government is established.
More than 30,000 Palestinians killed since October 7
Israeli forces fired at Palestinians collecting food aid, resulting in over 70 fatalities. This adds to the total death toll of over 30,000 since the onset of Israel's war on Gaza nearly five months ago, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
The situation in Gaza is dire, with the region on the brink of famine amidst threats of a ground invasion of Rafah by the Israeli military, where approximately 1.5 million displaced individuals are seeking shelter.
Additionally, separate Israeli air raids and shelling have claimed at least 30 lives in Nuseirat, Bureij, and Khan Younis refugee camps.
Hospitals are overwhelmed, with reports of children dying from malnutrition and dehydration at Gaza City's al-Shifa hospital.
Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qudra has urged immediate action from international organizations.
The conflict has resulted in over 30,000 deaths, including more than 13,000 children and 8,800 women, with over 70,000 injuries, over 11,000 of which are critical and require evacuation.
That’s a wrap for this week! Thank you for joining Inshallah! Don’t forget to share and subscribe.
About me
My name is Dario Sabaghi, and I am a freelance journalist interested in international news focusing on the MENA region.
Check out my work at dariosabaghi.com.
You can follow me on Twitter: @DarioSabaghi
Errors and editing mistakes may occasionally occur. I appreciate your feedback and take all complaints seriously. Please get in touch with me on Twitter to report any issues, and I will do my best to rectify them promptly.
Cover photo | Euronews