Israel Prepares Gaza War Resumption as Disarmament Talks with Hamas Collapse
Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have collapsed, pushing Gaza towards a renewed full-scale conflict. This week, an Israeli air strike killed Azzam al-Hayya, son of Hamas's chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, exacerbating the deadlock.
Israeli media suggests the government is readying for further military engagement in the Gaza Strip due to the stalled negotiations and Hamas's consistent refusal to relinquish its weaponry. Michael Eisenberg, an adviser to the Israeli prime minister, stated, "We understood, everyone understood that Hamas would not disarm, and they have followed through on their intentions." He added that while "nobody in Israel wants to go back to war," all options remain on the table.
Channel 12 News in Israel, citing unnamed security sources, reported that Washington might grant Israel the "green light" to resume "operations," potentially expanding the "Yellow Line" – a zone encompassing approximately 60% of Gaza under Israeli military control during the ceasefire. Local residents suggest this expansion is already underway.
Israel asserts that Hamas's stance on disarmament violates the 10 October ceasefire agreement. Conversely, Hamas contends that Israel has breached the accord by failing to meet humanitarian obligations and perpetuating lethal attacks. A Hamas statement called upon "the US administration and the guarantor states of the Sharm el-Sheikh [ceasefire] agreement" to intervene immediately to halt Israel's "aggression against the innocent people in Gaza."
Since the ceasefire commenced, the Hamas-run health ministry reports at least 846 fatalities in Gaza, including numerous women and children. Israel states five of its soldiers have died within the same period. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire, with most of its over two million residents displaced and increasingly apprehensive of a return to extensive warfare.
Palestinian officials involved in recent negotiations in Cairo confirmed the deadlock, stating Israel insists on advancing to the disarmament phase of the US-backed 20-point plan before fulfilling initial humanitarian commitments. Hamas's demands include an end to Israeli shelling and incursions, increased aid, entry of temporary housing and heavy equipment, and greater access via the Rafah Crossing.
The US-backed 20-point plan, endorsed by a UN Security Council resolution, outlines Hamas's demilitarisation as central to Gaza's future governance, excluding the group entirely. This aligns with statements from Nickolay Mladenov, High Representative for Gaza on the Board of Peace, who detailed a plan for Palestinian armed groups to decommission weapons, linking compliance to Israeli military withdrawal and reconstruction funding from Gulf states.
Despite Hamas's public acceptance of a new 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee for governance, there are signs the group is reasserting authority, including imposing new taxes and reactivating its police force. The October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages taken. Israel's subsequent offensive has killed 72,628 people in Gaza.
