Israel and Hamas Miss Opportunity to End War in Gaza

Strategic Insights -

Israel and Hamas are unlikely to reach a deal to end the war in Gaza after the death of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader. Despite the US urging Israel and Hamas to revive talks, both sides have dug in their heels on key issues. Israel demands that Hamas release all hostages taken on October 7 last year, while Hamas insists on a ceasefire that would allow them to keep a foothold in Gaza.

The killing of Sinwar has shifted the goalposts for both sides. Israel's military chief, Herzi Halevi, says the war will end only when Israel has captured everyone involved in the October 7 attack, in which over 1,100 Israelis died. With Hamas in tatters, Israel sees no need to reach a deal that might help them regroup. However, Netanyahu's hardline coalition will not agree to any deal that calls for the military to withdraw from Gaza completely, as Hamas has consistently demanded.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US has urged Israel and Hamas to revive talks after the death of Yahya Sinwar, but both sides have dug in their heels on key issues.
  • Israel demands that Hamas release all hostages taken on October 7 last year, while Hamas insists on a ceasefire that would allow them to keep a foothold in Gaza.
  • Israel's military chief, Herzi Halevi, says the war will end only when Israel has captured everyone involved in the October 7 attack, in which over 1,100 Israelis died.
  • With Hamas in tatters, Israel sees no need to reach a deal that might help them regroup.
  • Netanyahu's hardline coalition will not agree to any deal that calls for the military to withdraw from Gaza completely, as Hamas has consistently demanded.
  • There are 101 hostages still in Gaza, of whom 33 are thought to be dead.
  • Hamas maintains their all-or-nothing demands for a ceasefire deal, including the withdrawal of all Israeli troops and the right to keep a foothold in Gaza.
  • Hamas is trying to reach an accord with its rivals in the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, but Netanyahu has ruled out allowing the PA back into Gaza after Hamas evicted their forces in 2007.

Statistics:

  • Over 1,100 Israelis died in the October 7 attack.
  • There are 101 hostages still in Gaza, of whom 33 are thought to be dead.
  • Hamas has consistently demanded a ceasefire deal that would allow them to keep a foothold in Gaza.
  • Netanyahu's hardline coalition will not agree to any deal that calls for the military to withdraw from Gaza completely.

Sources:

  • (Samer Al-Atrush) writes: "The US wasted no time after Sinwar's death was announced by Israel on Thursday to push for the talks to be revived."
  • (Kamala Harris, Vice-President and Democratic candidate for the White House) said: "The Hamas leader's killing presented 'an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza'."
  • (Binyamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister) said: "The war will continue until all the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 last year were released."
  • (Herzi Halevi, Israeli Military Chief) said: "The war will end only when Israel had captured everyone involved in that attack."
  • (Khalil al-Hayya, Senior Hamas official) said: "The group would not release hostages until Israeli 'aggression' on Gaza stopped and Israel Defence Forces troops withdrew."