Description: Senior Hamas officials familiar with the plan outlined by mediators Egypt and Qatar have stated that a new strategic approach has been conceptualized to end the Israel – Hamas war. According to the officials the ceasefire plan would undertake a period of time ranging from five to seven years and would include the complete exchange of hostages as well as Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza. Officials from both Israel and Hamas’s political bureau are expected to arrive in Cairo to consult the mediators regarding the implementation of the ceasefire plan. Previously, the ceasefire was violated by Israel’s military advances in Gaza which according to Israeli officials were prompted due to Hamas’ delay in the hostage exchanges.
Impact: With intensified diplomatic efforts from the mediators Egypt and Qatar and signals from the Hamas camp on preparedness for negotiation, the announcement of a new ceasefire plan could be objectively founded. Israel’s current military engagement in Gaza while facing brewing domestic political crisis could subvert the peace efforts as Israeli officials have repeatedly discarded any attempt from Hamas to cede governance to the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. Even though there is reported interest and political will from the Hamas camp, Israel’s disqualification of any possibilities for a ceasefire immediately disintegrates all and any peace efforts. The likelihood of both parties engaging in vested peace talks is small but not impossible, as previously mediated efforts gave life to a potential ceasefire in the war-torn Gaza Strip.