The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has taken a new turn, as Hamas announced that there will be no further prisoner exchange with Israel until the war is over. This comes as Israel has withdrawn its Mossad negotiators from Qatar, where talks were being mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to secure a renewed pause in the conflict. The impasse in negotiations led to the decision by the head of the Mossad, David Barnea, to recall his team back to Israel, according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
The statement accused Hamas of failing to fulfill its side of an agreement to extend the truce in Gaza, which included the release of all women and children held in Gaza. However, Hamas responded by stating that there will be no further prisoner swap until the war ends. Saleh al-Arouri, deputy head of the group, emphasized that Israeli prisoners will not be released until Palestinian prisoners are liberated and a ceasefire is in effect. He also mentioned that Hamas is willing to exchange the bodies of dead Israelis for their own martyrs, but would need time to exhume the bodies.
Negotiations have hit a deadlock, with the Israelis now demanding the release of women soldiers held by Hamas. The earlier agreement during the weeklong truce saw the release of three Palestinian prisoners for every captive held in Gaza. Despite the withdrawal of Israeli negotiators, the article suggests that negotiations may continue with the involvement of other parties.
The collapse of the temporary truce has resulted in renewed violence between Israel and Hamas. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed concern over the situation as he arrived in Qatar to support efforts towards a new ceasefire. Macron called for a doubling-down of efforts to obtain a lasting ceasefire and the release of all captives. He also urged Israel to clarify its objectives towards Hamas, questioning whether the total destruction of Hamas is a realistic goal.
Israel responded by emphasizing that it is targeting Hamas, a terrorist organization responsible for violence against civilians. Mark Regev, senior adviser to Netanyahu, stated that Israel’s efforts are focused on safeguarding Gaza’s civilians. However, the civilian death toll continues to rise, with at least 100 Palestinians killed in Israeli air strikes on the Jabalia refugee camp. Palestinian authorities reported a total of 240 people killed since the bombings resumed.
The United Nations estimates that the conflict has displaced 1.7 million people in Gaza, which accounts for 80 percent of its population. The death toll in Gaza has exceeded 15,000, with the majority being civilians. In Israel, the official death toll stands at approximately 1,200.
As the war in Gaza persists, the future of negotiations and the quest for a lasting ceasefire remain uncertain. The situation calls for international attention and efforts to prevent further loss of life and displacement in the region.
