Israel Plans Gaza War Amid Stalled Talks
The rejection of the US proposal by Hamas and the Israeli army's plans to resume the war have raised tensions in the region, with the US backing Israel's actions and introducing a new ceasefire plan that differs from the original agreement. The situation in Gaza remains uncertain, with the possibility of renewed violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir has approved new plans to resume the war on the Gaza Strip if ceasefire negotiations collapse, including intensifying airstrikes and expanding ground operations. The plans also involve evacuating Palestinians from northern Gaza and calling up hundreds of thousands of reserve soldiers. Mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas are ongoing in Doha, with the US proposing a 60-day extension of the Gaza truce and the release of 10 living Israeli captives.
The US proposal, presented by US Envoy to Middle East Steve Witkoff, aims to extend the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which was brokered by the US. However, Hamas rejected the proposal, citing the need to move to the next stage of the deal, which includes the release of Palestinian prisoners and the end of the Israeli occupation of Gaza. The Palestinian residents of Gaza have been waiting for the completion of the three-phase deal to see the crossings reopened, the siege ended, and their homes rebuilt.
The Israeli occupation authorities have breached the deal by not releasing the scheduled prisoners and have instead threatened to destroy aid warehouses in Gaza. The US has backed Israel's actions, with President Donald Trump warning Hamas that "there will be hell to pay later" if the Israeli captives are not released. The US has also introduced a new ceasefire plan, which is different from the one agreed upon in January, and is trying to force Hamas to accept it by imposing a siege on the Gaza Strip.
The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with the possibility of renewed violence looming large. The international community is watching the developments closely, as the fate of the ceasefire negotiations and the future of the Gaza Strip hang in the balance. The Israeli army's plans to resume the war on Gaza have raised concerns about the potential humanitarian consequences and the impact on the already dire living conditions in the Strip.
