Hamas Sends Delegation to Egypt for Further Ceasefire Talks, Demonstrating Progress

BEIRUT - Hamas announced on Thursday that they would be sending a delegation to Egypt for further ceasefire negotiations. This development signals a potential breakthrough in the ongoing efforts by international mediators to broker a deal between Israel and the militant group to end the conflict in Gaza. After months of on-and-off talks, it appears that the ceasefire discussions have entered a crucial phase, with reports from Egyptian and American mediators suggesting signs of progress in recent days.

However, the success of any potential agreement hinges on whether Israel is willing to end the conflict without achieving its objective of dismantling Hamas. The urgency of reaching a ceasefire agreement was underscored by a recent UN report, which estimated that even if the Israel-Hamas conflict were to cease immediately, it would take until 2040 to rebuild all the homes destroyed during the nearly seven months of Israeli military operations in Gaza. The report also warned that the long-term economic impact of the conflict could set back development in the region for generations, with the situation worsening as the fighting continues.

The proposed three-stage process put forth by U.S. and Egyptian mediators, reportedly with Israel's tentative approval, includes an initial six-week ceasefire and a partial release of Israeli hostages, followed by negotiations for a "permanent calm" that may involve an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Hamas is seeking guarantees for a complete Israeli pullout and an end to hostilities. While Hamas leaders have given mixed responses to the proposal in recent days, the group's supreme leader, Ismail Haniyeh, expressed a positive outlook in a statement on Thursday. He indicated that Hamas negotiators would travel to Cairo to continue discussions with the aim of reaching an agreement.

Haniyeh also mentioned contact with the Prime Minister of Qatar, another key mediator in the process. The mediators are hopeful that a ceasefire deal will bring an end to a conflict that has claimed the lives of over 34,000 Palestinians and caused widespread destruction, plunging Gaza into a humanitarian crisis. They also seek to prevent an Israeli assault on Rafah, where many residents have sought refuge after fleeing other conflict zones within the territory.

The willingness of Israel to accept a ceasefire without achieving its stated goal of destroying Hamas represents a significant shift in policy. Following a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, Israeli leaders had vowed to continue military operations until the militant group was eliminated, insisting on maintaining a military presence in Gaza post-conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated this stance, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring Hamas' complete dismantlement.

He has maintained that even if a ceasefire is reached, Israel will eventually target Rafah, which he considers Hamas' last stronghold in Gaza. Netanyahu reaffirmed these intentions during discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was in Israel to help advance the ceasefire negotiations. The fate of the agreement now rests on whether Hamas is willing to accept the uncertainty surrounding the final stages of the process, which would delay a potential assault on Rafah. While Egypt has assured Hamas privately that the deal will lead to an end of hostilities, the group has raised concerns about the lack of specificity in the agreement text, particularly regarding the extent of an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

On Wednesday, a top Hamas official, Osama Hamdan, voiced skepticism about the proposal, describing the group's initial position as "negative." He warned that talks would cease if Israel launched an offensive in Rafah. Blinken exerted pressure on Hamas to accept the deal, highlighting the concessions made by Israel and emphasizing the need for a swift resolution.

In the midst of these negotiations, an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals, including a child. The incident underscored the ongoing violence and humanitarian concerns in Gaza. The origins of the Israel-Hamas conflict trace back to the October 7 incursion by Hamas militants into southern Israel, which resulted in numerous casualties and abductions.

Since then, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has caused significant damage and led to a humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians at risk of famine in northern Gaza. According to a report released by the United Nations, the Palestinian economy has suffered severe setbacks as a result of the conflict, with a sharp rise in poverty and economic contraction. The report warned that the ongoing war would have long-lasting implications for the region, jeopardizing the future of generations to come.

As ceasefire negotiations continue, the international community remains hopeful for a resolution that will bring an end to the conflict and pave the way for long-term stability and development in Gaza and the wider region. The challenges ahead are daunting, but the pressing need for a ceasefire underscores the urgency of finding a diplomatic solution to the ongoing crisis. Lee Keath reported from Cairo and Sam Mednick from Tel Aviv, Israel.