Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire in November. The situation in Syria is also considered an end to the military confrontation and a transition to building a new political system. At this time, attention is focused on diplomats’ efforts to take advantage of the momentum to promote a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. This plan is showing positive signs.
Israeli tanks appeared near the Gaza border on December 11
Hamas gives in?
Newspaper The Wall Street JournalYesterday, it was reported that Hamas forces had conceded to Israel’s two main demands to reach a ceasefire, including allowing Israeli troops to be temporarily stationed in Gaza, and providing a list of hostages to be released. , if Israel commits to complying with the no-attack clause.
The majority of UN members demand a ceasefire in Gaza, but the US opposes it
The issue of Israel’s military presence has long been a sticking point that has caused previous negotiations to break down. The collapse of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government has caused significant geopolitical damage to Hamas’s allies such as Iran or Hezbollah. The latest proposal put forward by Egyptian negotiators, supported by intermediary countries such as the US and Qatar, is based on momentum from the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire in November.
Nuseirat refugee area, central Gaza was damaged on December 11
On December 11, Mr. Israel Katz, Israel’s Defense Minister, had a phone call with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin, stating that “there is now an opportunity to reach a new agreement”. US national security advisor Jake Sullivan yesterday also visited Israel, then Egypt and Qatar, with the hope of being able to close a ceasefire agreement before President Joe Biden ends his term. On December 11, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire and unconditional release of hostages in Gaza. However, this move is likely just symbolic like previous times, when similar resolutions were opposed by the US at the Security Council last month. Before the diplomatic move made clear progress, bombs were still falling in Gaza. Gaza health officials accused Israel’s airstrikes yesterday of killing at least 35 people.
Take advantage of Syria’s leverage
Expanding political influence is seen as a fundamental factor in gaining advantage when sitting at the negotiating table, and Israel is said to have taken advantage of the vacuum after the fall of the Assad government in Syria. Al Jazeera radio reported yesterday that the Israeli army this week had airstrikes on nearly 500 targets in Syria to destroy military infrastructure, which Israel said prevented weapons from falling into the hands of opposition forces that could threaten Israel. . This military move by Israel has been condemned by many countries, including Russia, but the US is still supporting Tel Aviv.
IDF: Israel attacked 320 targets, destroying more than 70% of the Syrian army’s capabilities
According to Reuters yesterday, this is a politically favorable time for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to finalize the ceasefire. On December 9, the Israeli Prime Minister stated that developments in Syria are making Hamas even more isolated and may consider making concessions. A Palestinian official familiar with the developments in the negotiations said that there is “negotiation fever” as the parties continuously propose ideas. For Mr. Netanyahu, it will be more convenient to ask Hamas to make concessions now, when Israel’s position is high, while Hezbollah or Syria no longer pose many significant threats.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on December 11 that a high-ranking US military representative had arrived in the capital Beirut (Lebanon) to monitor the first withdrawal of Israeli forces, based on the framework of the ceasefire between the two countries. Israel and Hezbollah take effect from November 27. On social network Since the ceasefire, Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly accused each other of violating the agreement, but so far the ceasefire has not been broken.
