Israeli ‘red lines’ for ceasefire reportedly include dismantling of Hamas
Israel hasn’t officially given the go-ahead for this ceasefire proposal that’s being pushed by US President Donald Trump. But there is a lot of anticipation, a lot of talk about what it could entail, including some Israeli “red lines” being discussed in the media, citing unnamed official sources.
These include Israel not moving out of the so-called Morag Corridor in southern Gaza – meaning that it does not want to clear the way for people to return to Rafah, a city that’s been obliterated.
Israel is also insisting it will only end the war if Hamas is dismantled, by handing over its weapons and its surviving leaders going into exile. Hamas, for its part, is not commenting on these issues – although some reports say that it has not discussed the idea of handing over its weapons.
So, we’re still waiting to see whether Hamas will make a positive announcement – and if that happens, there still needs to be negotiations about implementation. The impression that this was going to be an immediate thing might not be entirely accurate, because what is on the table is a framework for a temporary ceasefire, not a detailed proposal.
That's not a ceasefire nor a truce, that's 'negotiating' total surrender.
Israeli demand to dismantle Hamas ‘nearly impossible’
Israel’s reported red line that Hamas must be dismantled for any ceasefire to take place in Gaza “is the most difficult part of the discussions” and would be “nearly impossible”, says Tamer Qarmout, an associate professor in public policy from the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.
He told Al Jazeera that, while there could be an agreement for Hamas to surrender its weapons to another party, to “dismantle Hamas and end its political life in Palestinian society, I think that’s not achievable”.
“Hamas could transform itself to a different political party, [but] the ideology remains because the occupation remains,” Qarmout said. “My point is, as long as there’s no bigger vision to end the conflict … then I think again, it’s going to be another wasted opportunity.”
Hamas says submitted ‘positive response’ to mediators on ceasefire proposal
Hamas says it submitted its response after completing consultations with Palestinian forces and factions.
“The movement has submitted a positive response to the mediators, and the movement is fully prepared to immediately enter into a round of negotiations regarding the mechanism for implementing this framework,” it said in a statement posted on Telegram.
