(PatriotPostNews.com) — American government officials involved in negotiations with Israel and Hamas have expressed a growing lack of confidence that the war in Gaza will reach a cease-fire.
Four officials within the Biden administration recently shared certain details about a deal that would permanently end the fighting in a three-phase proposal. Since the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, 2023, over a thousand innocents in Israel have been slain and hundreds more taken hostage. Additionally, the Israeli-led counter-offensives have resulted in the deaths of more than 30,000 people in the Gaza Strip.
The United States has joined other key negotiators like Egypt and Qatar in striving to establish peace in the long-time tension between Israel and Palestine, prioritizing the safety of civilians who are being displaced from their home country by the thousands. But the latest proposal to obtain a cease-fire is not looking promising, according to four officials with knowledge of the situation.
The deal includes three phases, the first of which would enable a six-week cease-fire to dissipate Israeli military forces from highly populated regions of Gaza as well as release hostages and Palestinian prisoners. This would be followed by phase two, during which both sides would be expected to effectively end their feud through negotiations and release the rest of the hostages. The third phase of the proposed deal would focus on reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.
Although both Israel and Hamas generally agree on the conditions of phase one, United States officials have said that they are conflicted over the second phase and precisely how to end the war. The American-designated terror group seeks a full retreat by the Israeli military, which is conversely determined not to leave the region until Hamas is destroyed.
One official speculated that the war would continue “at least until” the end of the year, citing how Hamas refuses to agree to any aspect of the deal unless Israel evacuates Gaza, and that neither side is giving hope for a compromise.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he was willing to agree to “a partial deal” to get back some hostages but reaffirmed his determination to “continuing the war” following a temporary cease-fire. He added that he is “not willing to give up” his goal of “eliminating Hamas.”
Copyright 2024, PatriotPostNews.com
