From the Washington Post article:
“The new element in the proposal would come with a second phase, during which Israel and Hamas would negotiate a permanent cease-fire and complete Israeli withdrawal. Under the newly announced plan, the temporary cease-fire would continue beyond the six weeks until such a permanent plan is put in place, provided neither side violated its terms and negotiations continued.”
So Israel will take 6 weeks to restock, refuse negotiations (or at least reasonable ones) which would then allow the ceasefire to end and they’ll continue the operation.
The Israeli fear is of course that Hamas will rearm during that time, and then go on to kill more. It’s going to take a period where the two do not trust each other but are not shooting if you actually want peace.
That’s why I don’t believe this will get done. I really hope I’m wrong and it all works out but I doubt Hamas agrees and I can’t blame them.
I wouldn’t release the only bargaining chip I had unless I had a guarantee of a permanent ceasefire. It’s hard to trust a side that’s been engaging in a genocide against you for decades with the support of one of the world’s super powers.
They’re being asked to release some, but not all hostages during the first phase. That leaves them with a bargaining chip until the Israeli army withdraws. Any sustainable peace is going to ultimately involve Hamas releasing all the hostages.
The problem is that reports (from within the Israeli media) are that Israel won’t end the war for a deal to free all the hostages. And “the war will not end until all of its goals are achieved, including the return of all our hostages and the elimination of Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities”. And they won’t accept outside peacekeepers, they demand to maintain a role in managing Gaza’s security beyond the end of the conflict.
So there’s a lot of reason to believe that Phase II is never intended to resolve in a cease fire. Their demands in the negotiations are eliminating the group they’re negotiating with and then reestablishing the occupation of Gaza. That’s not really a negotiation.
Which is why Hamas should dismantle those capabilities and allow for election of a government which is willing to make peace as part of any deal.
Ahh missed that it was only some in the first phase, that makes a bit more sense and might be the difference maker.
I agree any long term peace was always going to require the release of all hostages/prisoners from both sides. Also need to end the apartheid laws in Israel and allow Palestine full rights statehood.
Edit:
How could Biden be so utterly selfish… if his administration successfully helps negotiate a permanent ceasefire, then what are all the single issue voters going to have to hold over him? Can’t someone think of their self-righteousness? Oh the humanity! /s