No comment from Israel on ceasefire proposal as plans ramp up to take Gaza City
While there are reports that Hamas has responded positively to the latest ceasefire proposal in Gaza, involving a 60-day truce, Israel has not given a concrete answer on where it stands.
You have politicians within Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition who say the premier has no mandate for such a deal.
Netanyahu’s only comment on the matter was that he was following the reports that Hamas had agreed to the framework on the table, and that they were under “atomic” pressure.
It’s worth mentioning that the Israelis have signalled, in no way, shape or form, a willingness to end their war in Gaza, which is what this ceasefire would entail – a 60-day pause in the fighting with a concrete framework to end the war.
That’s something the Israelis have not signalled any interest in. In fact they’re talking about expanding the military action in Gaza with the takeover of Gaza City and occupation of northern Gaza.
Potential ceasefire will not stop Israeli plans for full occupation, ethnic cleansing in Gaza
Luciano Zaccara, a research professor at Qatar University, has told Al Jazeera that Israel’s current strategy in Gaza reflects longstanding plans for full occupation and the removal of Palestinians from the territory.
“This is in line with what Israel has been discussing for a long time – that there will not be a Palestinian state in Gaza, and that they want to blockade as much as possible,” he said.
Zaccara noted that while ceasefire talks are ongoing, Israel’s wider objectives remain unchanged. “This plan has been on the table for a long time. It looks like there’s no change in that, even though there are now discussions about a ceasefire.
“Settlements have already begun to be implemented as part of a wider plan, not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank.” According to Zaccara, these plans have the total support of the Israeli government.
A ceasefire, he added, could prove “very temporary”, serving only as a step towards the full occupation of the land.
