Gaza City, November 6, 2023 — Efforts to secure a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel are hitting major roadblocks, leaving many in Gaza wondering when the violence will end.
On Monday evening, Hamas announced it is reviewing a new ceasefire proposal from Israel, delivered by mediators Egypt and Qatar. But insiders say chances of a breakthrough are slim due to significant disagreements.
An informed Hamas source revealed that the proposal includes a 45-day temporary ceasefire, during which Hamas would release half of the Israeli hostages it holds. However, Hamas was surprised to find a clause about the group disarming — a condition they firmly reject.
“Disarmament is not on the table and will not be discussed, now or in the future,” the source told Xinhua News Agency. “Any agreement must start with a cessation of the Israeli aggression and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.”
Hamas has offered to release nine Israeli hostages initially, but only if there is a comprehensive halt to hostilities — a demand Israel hasn’t accepted. Meanwhile, Israel remains steadfast. According to Israel’s Channel 11, officials are unwilling to accept any deal that undermines their war objectives, including restricting Hamas’s military capabilities.
As negotiations stall, the people of Gaza continue to suffer. Nader Abdul Karim, who now shelters in a UNRWA facility after fleeing his home, shared his despair. “We had hoped this round of talks would result in a truce, but our hopes are fading,” he said. “Every day, we fear becoming part of the rising death toll.”
Salha Abu Rahmi, displaced from Beit Hanoun, expressed similar sentiments. “The negotiations are happening far from us, and every time they fail, we face more bombing. We are the ones paying the price,” she said.
The situation on the ground remains dire. Israeli airstrikes have targeted multiple areas across Gaza City, Rafah, and Khan Younis. Hamas’s armed wing claimed clashes with Israeli forces east of the Shuja’iyya neighborhood, stating they inflicted casualties.
Oday Abu Zeid, a resident of Khan Younis, voiced a pressing concern shared by many. “If this war does not end soon, more families will be wiped out. Every failed round of talks means more suffering,” he warned.
While mediators Egypt and Qatar continue their efforts, the path to peace remains uncertain. For the youth and families caught in the crossfire, the wait for tranquility goes on.
