There are likely to have a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, according Bassem Naim, an official in Hamas’ political bureau who spoke with the Associated Press in Turkey. (Abby Sewell, AP, December 6, 2024)
If Naim’s belief is implemented, the bloody war and massacre of Israel and Hamas will stop before the New Year or before President Trump’s inauguration. This could be great news and gift especially for the people of Israel, Palestinians, Middle Easterners, and the peace-loving people of the world.
Naim, said Thursday that international mediators have resumed negotiating with the militant group and Israel over a ceasefire in Gaza, and that he was hopeful a deal to end the a year and a half war was within reach.
The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has recently revived, even though shackled by many obstacles before. The reasons are believed to have been influenced by the political situation in the world: Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election, and a ceasefire was declared last week between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah signed last week is still in force. But there were many who opposed it, “I believe that in the long term, this does not serve the interests of Israel, the United States, and the Arab region,” Gemayel said, adding, “It will be a preparation for an additional war and a type of ticking time bomb” wrote Michael Freund, former deputy communications director under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu), quoting former Lebanese president Amin Gemayel (December 6, 2024, https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-832127).
But, Naim said that he believes Donald Trump could “affect the situation positively” given that Trump had made halting wars in the region part of his campaign platform.
Steve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy for President-elect Donald Trump, has met separately in recent weeks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss Gaza ceasefire talks. The meetings were confirmed by a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to not being authorized to comment publicly. (Newsweek, Hamas: Ceasefire Talks Resume, Trump Could ‘Affect Situation Positively’ https://www.newsweek.com/gaza-ceasefire-talks-resume-trump-presidency-looms-1996509).
There are three phases if both Israel and Hamas would agree for the ceasefire proposal. First both would preliminary halt fighting for six weeks during which female, elderly and sick hostages would be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. In the second ph
ase, Israel would pull back some forces, and displaced Palestinians would be allowed to return home, Israel would withdrawal its forces, the release of remaining hostages and the terms of a permanent end to the war. A third, final phase would focus on reconstruction.