Israel rejects ceasefire deal, pushes into Gaza’s last refuge
May 13, 2024
22:45
auto_awesome Snipd AI
Israel's rejection of a ceasefire deal, pushing into Gaza's last refuge sparks questions. What are the conditions for Israel to agree to a ceasefire? Why didn't Israel accept a deal to release hostages? The human cost of Israel's pursuit of 'total victory' in Gaza is examined by the Guardian's world affairs editor, Julian Borger.
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Israel's rejection of ceasefire poses risks of humanitarian disaster in Gaza due to military actions and aid blockades.
Netanyahu's political constraints hinder peace negotiations with Hamas, prioritizing total victory and coalition stability.
Deep dives
Ceasefire Deal Between Hamas and Israel
Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal that included the gradual release of hostages, with the potential for making the initial ceasefire permanent. However, disagreements arose over details such as the repatriation of dead bodies and Israel's veto on released detainees. Israel's decision-making war cabinet, including Netanyahu, rejected the deal, citing it was far from their requirements.
Political Constraints on Netanyahu
Netanyahu faces political constraints within his coalition, where right-wing members threaten to withdraw support if a deal with Hamas is made. This dynamic hinders Netanyahu's ability to accept ceasefire agreements, potentially jeopardizing his government. The desire for a total victory over Hamas and concerns about maintaining power influence his stance on peace negotiations.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Israel's rejection of the ceasefire led to evacuations and military actions in Gaza, heightening the risk of a humanitarian disaster. Orders to evacuate areas and the control of crucial aid crossings by Israel exacerbate the situation, blocking vital humanitarian assistance. The United States' decision to halt weapons delivery reflects escalating tensions and pressures to avert further conflict.
There were scenes of celebration in Gaza last Monday, as word spread that Hamas had accepted the terms of an Egyptian-Qatari ceasefire proposal.
But the same day, Israel rejected the deal. Its military has since ordered more evacuations and pushed further into Rafah, considered a last refuge for over 1 million Gazans displaced by the war.
So what would it take for Israel to agree to a ceasefire? If it wants the safety of hostages, why didn’t it take a deal to release them? And what could the human cost of this last push for Israel’s “total victory” be?
Julian Borger is the Guardian's world affairs editor.