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A Hamas leader said Thursday the group was reviewing the most recent ceasefire proposal with a “positive spirit.” That spirit must turn into positive action that spares both the Palestinian and Israeli people from further anguish.
A durable ceasefire in Gaza, to spare the Palestinian people from more death and destruction while delivering Israeli hostages from months in captivity, has long been overdue. Every day that the sides involved fail to reach an agreement is another day that people suffer.
U.S. officials, most notably Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have put the onus on Hamas to accept this newest proposal, which in broad terms would halt the fighting, secure the release of more Israeli prisoners, allow civilians to return to northern parts of Gaza and better facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
“We are determined to get a cease-fire that brings the hostages home and to get it now, and the only reason that that wouldn’t be achieved is because of Hamas,” Blinken said Wednesday as part of a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. “There is a proposal on the table, and as we’ve said: No delays, no excuses. The time is now.”
Hamas absolutely should accept this deal, and accept this chance to help the Palestinian people it claims to be representing in these talks. If Hamas is truly motivated by concern for the welfare of the Palestinian people, and not its own ability to create chaos and terror in the region, then it will take this step toward peace.
And in the name of that same peace, Israel absolutely should refrain from its looming ground invasion of Rafah. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments about launching that incursion “with or without” a ceasefire are extremely unhelpful in the push toward peace, as much of his leadership has been during this crisis. Blinken also reiterated U.S. opposition to such an invasion on Wednesday.
Israel must reject the calls by some far-right voices in the Netanyahu government to forgo a ceasefire agreement, and must choose diplomacy over more destruction in the desperately needed effort to secure the release of the remaining Israeli hostages.
Peace must be relentlessly pursued by all involved in these ongoing ceasefire negotiations. The proposed ceasefire would not be the final act in that needed shift, but it would be a step in that direction. We see hopeful movement with Israel making more concessions, and with Hamas’ response as of Thursday — including that Hamas would be sending a delegation for in-person negotiations in Egypt.
Those positive indications must lead to positive outcomes at the negotiating table. Innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire and they deserve peace from their leaders.
