The weeks-long host among western officials for a cease-fire agreement in the Gaza Strip before the Islamic holy month of Ramadan have fallen flat, after Israel and Gaza-based militant group Hamas failed to reach an agreement by the start of the holiday Sunday night, putting a potential agreement for a pause in the fighting and the release of hostages in jeopardy.
KEY FACTS
Hamas and Israel had both discussed a cease-fire deal in recent weeks, ahead of the start of Ramadan on Monday, even as fighting in Gaza nears its six-month mark.
The most recent proposal included a six-week cease-fire, during which time humanitarian aid would be allowed to enter Gaza, with Hamas releasing Israeli hostages and Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners, though the number of hostages in that deal remained unclear.
That proposal would have also included the release of “vulnerable” hostages, including sick and elderly Israelis captured in Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, though Israeli officials reportedly remained a no-show at the negotiating table last week, claiming Hamas refused to provide “clear answers” on a list of hostages—a key Israeli demand.
In addition to the release of Palestinian prisoners, Hamas had also demanded the removal of Israeli troops from Gaza, a plea that Israeli officials would not agree to, with Israeli Prime Minister telling Politico on Sunday he plans to move forward with a planned invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where displaced Palestinian residents have been seeking shelter and where U.S. President Joe Biden said he opposed an escalation.
