The temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that began on November 24, 2023, has ended with renewed violence and no progress on the hostage issue. Israel withdrew from the peace talks in Cairo after Hamas refused to reveal the full list of Israeli captives in Gaza. Hamas accused Israel of rejecting a fair exchange deal and resumed rocket attacks on Israeli towns. Israel responded with airstrikes on Gaza, killing dozens of people.
The truce was mediated by Qatar and Egypt, and aimed to halt the hostilities that erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel and captured around 250 Israelis, including soldiers and civilians. The initial agreement stipulated a four-day break in fighting, during which 50 Israeli hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners were to be released and more humanitarian aid would be allowed to enter Gaza. The truce was subject to extension if more hostages were released.
The truce was extended twice, first for two days and then for one day, as the mediators worked to negotiate a longer-term deal. During the extensions, 90 more Israelis and 210 more Palestinians were freed. However, the remaining hostages, estimated at 110, became the main sticking point in the talks. Hamas demanded the release of all Palestinian prisoners in Israel, which numbered over 8,000 before the war and increased to over 10,000 amid mass arrests by Israel. Israel insisted on knowing the names and locations of all the hostages before agreeing to any further exchange.
The Breakdown of the Truce
On December 1, 2023, the truce expired with no agreement on the hostage issue. Hamas claimed that Israel rejected a proposal to release 40 more Israelis and 120 more Palestinians in exchange for extending the truce for another 45 days. Hamas also said that Israel refused to lift the blockade on Gaza, which has been in place since 2007, and to stop its military operations in the West Bank. Hamas then launched rockets into Sderot, a town near the Gaza border, breaking the truce.
Israel denied Hamas’s allegations and accused the group of violating the truce and the terms of the ceasefire. Israel said that it was willing to continue the talks and the truce, but Hamas was not serious about reaching a deal. Israel also said that Hamas was hiding some of the hostages and using them as human shields. Israel then launched airstrikes on Gaza, targeting Hamas’s military sites and leaders. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 20 people were killed and 50 wounded in the Israeli attacks.
The International Reaction
The end of the truce and the escalation of violence were condemned by the international community, which called for an immediate restoration of the ceasefire and a resumption of the talks. The United States, which supported the truce and its extensions, blamed Hamas for the breakdown and urged the group to release all the hostages and stop the rocket fire. The US also reaffirmed its commitment to Israel’s security and its right to self-defense. The US said that it was working with Qatar, Egypt, and other partners to de-escalate the situation and achieve a lasting peace.
The United Nations, the European Union, the Arab League, and other regional and global actors also expressed their concern and urged both sides to show restraint and return to the negotiating table. They stressed the need for a political solution to the conflict and a humanitarian response to the crisis. They also called for the protection of civilians and the respect of international law and human rights.
The Future Prospects
The prospects for a lasting peace between Israel and Hamas remain bleak, as both sides have hardened their positions and resumed their attacks. The hostage issue, which was supposed to be a confidence-building measure, has become a major obstacle and a source of mistrust. The humanitarian situation in Gaza, which was already dire before the war, has worsened due to the blockade, the war damage, and the lack of aid. The political situation in Israel, which is facing a possible early election, and in the Palestinian territories, which are divided between Hamas and Fatah, also complicates the peace process.
However, some analysts and observers still hope that the truce, despite its collapse, could pave the way for a more comprehensive and durable agreement in the future. They argue that the truce showed that both sides are capable of dialogue and compromise, and that they have common interests and incentives to end the war. They also point out that the truce was supported by the majority of Israelis and Palestinians, who are tired of the cycle of violence and want a peaceful resolution. They also note that the truce was backed by regional and international actors, who have a stake in the stability and security of the Middle East.
