US ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ about Paris Cease-fire Deal

February 28, 2024

by: Itamar Eichner and Daniel Edelson ~ Ynetnews

Wednesday, 28 February 2024 | At the Paris summit, Israel agreed that it would free 404 security detainees in a swap for 40 individuals held captive, with an average exchange rate of 10 security prisoners for each hostage returned. The proposed deal, still pending Hamas’s approval, includes the release of seven women previously part of an initial exchange agreement, with 21 prisoners to be freed in return (three prisoners for each woman).

Additionally, the exchange will see the liberation of 15 men over the age of 50 in exchange for 90 prisoners (six prisoners for each older man), 13 ill individuals for 156 prisoners (12 prisoners for each sick captive released) and five female soldiers for 90 prisoners, which includes 15 convicted murderers with severe sentences. The deal also involves the release of 47 prisoners who were rearrested after being freed in the Gilad Shalit exchange due to terrorist activities.

Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, commented on the ongoing negotiations for the prisoner exchange, telling reporters that the US is actively working to finalize the deal. He expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement but highlighted that final consent from Hamas is necessary. Miller noted progress in the talks but did not provide specifics on the advancements made.

Hamas sources have told Saudi publication Alsharq Al-Awsat that the current proposal is unsatisfactory and requires amendments. They acknowledged progress but also said that gaps exist. The sources suggested that while the prisoner issue could be resolved, the withdrawal from Gaza and the return of Gazans to the northern part of the Strip are obstacles in reaching an initial agreement. They indicated that a deal is not imminent unless the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] fully withdraws from central Gaza, clears the Netzarim axis that divides Gaza in half and allows residents to return.

According to Reuters, Israel has also agreed to significantly increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, allowing 500 trucks to enter daily. Plans include the entry of 200,000 tents for temporary housing and the construction of 60,000 homes. Israel will permit international entities to immediately start rebuilding hospitals in Gaza and facilitate the entry of essential equipment. Additionally, Israel will enable the import of heavy machinery to remove debris in the Strip. In Paris, Israel agreed to cease aerial intelligence collection over Gaza and to allow a phased return of non-draft age residents to northern Gaza.

Huge Gaps Remain

Miller’s remarks followed a statement by US President Joe Biden, who on Monday night expressed his hope for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip in the next week. “My national security adviser told me that we are close. We are close, but it’s not over yet,” Biden said.

These comments were made by Biden while he was holding an ice cream cone upon his departure from the NBC studios in New York where he appeared on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”

In addition, Biden disclosed that Israel had consented to a cease-fire during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan [one of the Five Pillars of Islam when stringent disciplines are observed], from March 10 to April 9, to facilitate the release of the hostages. While he did not explicitly call for an end to hostilities, he indicated that Israel had not ruled out a ground operation in Rafah, noting that Israel had promised to relocate the displaced population prior to taking action.

Responding to Biden’s statements, a source from Hamas spoke to Reuters on Tuesday morning, claiming that Biden’s optimistic outlook was premature and not aligned with the actual conditions on the ground. “There are still large gaps that need to be bridged before there is a cease-fire,” the source said.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials on Tuesday morning expressed confusion over the president’s confidence, stating they are uncertain “what the American president’s optimism is based on.” ABC News also reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “surprised” by Biden’s declaration.

Sources familiar with the matter say that the US is doing everything in its power to stop the war and to try to reach a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The Americans are also pressing for the prisoner exchange deal to come into effect before Ramadan, fearing escalation during this period and the expansion of the war to other fronts.

The Americans want to extend the cease-fire for additional reason. They want to use the calm in Gaza to promote their political arrangement between Israel and Lebanon and to prevent a war with Hezbollah. However, Israel has announced that, during the cease-fire in Gaza, it will not refrain from acting against Hezbollah, and it seems that it is even increasing pressure on the terrorist organization to force it to agree to stay about 6 miles [9.6 km.] away from the border.

Posted on February 28, 2024

Source: (Excerpt of an article originally published by Ynetnews on February 28, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today. See original article at this link.)

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