Gaza truce unlikely before US election, says WSJ
US officials, while publicly asserting that a deal is imminent, reportedly believe that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is unattainable. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Efforts by US President Joe Biden to negotiate an end to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas are unlikely to be resolved before his term concludes, according to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal. Despite previous statements from Biden suggesting a resolution was near, complexities continue to hinder progress.
For months, negotiators from the US, Qatar, and Egypt have worked toward a deal that would require Hamas to free Israeli hostages in return for the release of numerous Palestinian detainees and a cessation of Israel's military actions in Gaza. However, disagreements persist with each side blaming the other for derailing ceasefire attempts. Hamas demands a total Israeli withdrawal from Gaza while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces pressures from his government to completely dismantle Hamas' leadership before withdrawing.
An anonymous US official expressed pessimism about the situation to the WSJ, stating, “No deal is imminent,” and questioned whether an agreement could ever be reached.
Recent violent incidents have added to the skepticism surrounding a potential deal. Sources informed the newspaper about the adverse impact of Hamas' alleged execution of six hostages and Israel's alleged attack on Hezbollah members in Lebanon using explosive devices.
An official from an Arab nation commented on the dwindling chances of a ceasefire agreement: “There’s no chance now of it happening. Everyone is in a wait-and-see mode until after the election. The outcome will determine what can happen in the next administration.”
Despite the escalating situation, Biden has maintained a hopeful outlook, supported by positive remarks from his administration. In a statement made in August, Biden indicated ongoing strong efforts to reach a ceasefire: “We are closer than we’ve ever been” to a deal, he noted. Additionally, Secretary of State Antony Blinken relayed that Israel and Hamas had settled on the majority of the terms for an agreement. Contrary to the rise in regional hostilities, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh reassured reporters that the negotiations were still on track.
Meanwhile, a senior Israeli official hinted at a possible breakthrough that could lead to the cessation of operations in Gaza, contingent on Hamas meeting specific conditions including the immediate release of all hostages and disarmament. This proposal, however, faced skepticism from other Israeli officials and commentators regarding its feasibility and the likelihood of Hamas agreeing to such terms.
The backdrop of these negotiations is the continuing devastation wrought by the conflict, which escalated significantly after Hamas' unexpected attacks last year. The strikes resulted in substantial casualties and led Israel to intensify its military responses and enforce severe restrictions on Gaza. According to recent reports from Gaza’s health ministry, the conflict has resulted in a staggering number of Palestinian deaths, while the fate of many hostages remains uncertain despite some being released in a previous ceasefire agreement.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
For months, negotiators from the US, Qatar, and Egypt have worked toward a deal that would require Hamas to free Israeli hostages in return for the release of numerous Palestinian detainees and a cessation of Israel's military actions in Gaza. However, disagreements persist with each side blaming the other for derailing ceasefire attempts. Hamas demands a total Israeli withdrawal from Gaza while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces pressures from his government to completely dismantle Hamas' leadership before withdrawing.
An anonymous US official expressed pessimism about the situation to the WSJ, stating, “No deal is imminent,” and questioned whether an agreement could ever be reached.
Recent violent incidents have added to the skepticism surrounding a potential deal. Sources informed the newspaper about the adverse impact of Hamas' alleged execution of six hostages and Israel's alleged attack on Hezbollah members in Lebanon using explosive devices.
An official from an Arab nation commented on the dwindling chances of a ceasefire agreement: “There’s no chance now of it happening. Everyone is in a wait-and-see mode until after the election. The outcome will determine what can happen in the next administration.”
Despite the escalating situation, Biden has maintained a hopeful outlook, supported by positive remarks from his administration. In a statement made in August, Biden indicated ongoing strong efforts to reach a ceasefire: “We are closer than we’ve ever been” to a deal, he noted. Additionally, Secretary of State Antony Blinken relayed that Israel and Hamas had settled on the majority of the terms for an agreement. Contrary to the rise in regional hostilities, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh reassured reporters that the negotiations were still on track.
Meanwhile, a senior Israeli official hinted at a possible breakthrough that could lead to the cessation of operations in Gaza, contingent on Hamas meeting specific conditions including the immediate release of all hostages and disarmament. This proposal, however, faced skepticism from other Israeli officials and commentators regarding its feasibility and the likelihood of Hamas agreeing to such terms.
The backdrop of these negotiations is the continuing devastation wrought by the conflict, which escalated significantly after Hamas' unexpected attacks last year. The strikes resulted in substantial casualties and led Israel to intensify its military responses and enforce severe restrictions on Gaza. According to recent reports from Gaza’s health ministry, the conflict has resulted in a staggering number of Palestinian deaths, while the fate of many hostages remains uncertain despite some being released in a previous ceasefire agreement.
Navid Kalantari for TROIB News
