Gaza still bombarded as uncertainty remains over Biden’s ceasefire

A fresh Israeli military operation has begun in central Gaza as US President Joe Biden’s ceasefire plan is stalling amid diplomatic delays.

Alongside a renewed Israeli offensive near Deir-Al-Balah, fighting is also continuing in the city of Rafah in the south of Gaza and beyond, with the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad saying today they have been involved in gun battles and fired anti-tank missiles across the enclave. 

Tensions are high in the West Bank as thousands of Israeli nationalists have marched through Jerusalem in celebration of Flag Day, commemorating the start of the 1967 Six-Day War which Israel won. Sometimes known as the Third Arab–Israeli War, this was when Israeli forces took control over the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, as well as the Syrian Golan Heights and the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula. Photographs from today show Israeli marchers assaulting a Palestinian freelance journalist.

Meanwhile, Biden’s three-stage plan he proposed last Friday and tabled to the UN on Monday is faltering. Many members of the UN Security Council are unlikely to accept it because, as Biden claims, it is an Israeli-backed plan. Despite this ceasefire deal that Israel supposedly backs, Biden suggested that there is “every reason” to conclude that Benjamin Netanyahu is drawing out the war for political gain.

Crucially, the mediating nations, particularly Qatar and Egypt, need to get Hamas and Israeli negotiators in the same room. Before this happens, since the international community will not recognise a Palestinian state with the proscribed terrorist group at the helm, Hamas must reconcile with Fatah, the largest faction of the multi-party Palestine Liberation Organisation that runs the West Bank. Another step towards that is due to happen later this month in China when Hamas and Fatah will hold talks. This means Hamas is thinking seriously about its post-war settlement and retaining power in Gaza. 

Back to Biden’s plan. It involves a six-week ceasefire where all Israeli troops will leave Gaza, the release of the hostages and the difficult and expensive reconstruction of the Palestinian territory. Hamas will worry that, should it return all hostages, there is nothing to stop Netanyahu from restarting the war to “eliminate” Hamas, as is his current aim. Netanyahu’s aims couldn’t change that quickly, could they?

Reuters reported that the US and Qatar held talks in Doha today. While Hamas looks to be at least considering how to position itself for a ceasefire and post-war settlement, the IDF’s latest military operation suggests Israel is not doing the same. 

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