HRW Condemns Israel’s Collective Punishment on Gaza, Urges Biden to Help Restore Humanitarian Aid
Democracy NowOct 30, 2023
Report: High-Level Gaza Cease-Fire Talks to be Held in Doha
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Above: Smoke plumes rising from explosions above destroyed buildings in the northern Gaza Strip on Jan. 13, 2025. Image copyright: Menahem Kahana/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Mediators have reportedly given Israel and Hamas a final draft of a deal that would see a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages after a "breakthrough" Sunday night, with talks expected in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Monday that the main sticking points have been the release of Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, but the gaps "have fundamentally narrowed."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
With regional developments working in Israel's favor, the time for a deal is now. Israel has gotten everything it can and is in a far stronger geopolitical position than it was only a year ago. This war must end, and the US is optimistic it can help push a deal over the finish line.
Pro-Israel narrative
There's still plenty of time for this deal to fall apart, but Israel must get its hostages back as soon as possible. Israel has held firm to its core goals and will not release Palestinian prisoners with blood on their hands. Indeed, Israel's security is still of the utmost importance.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Even as talks to end the war advance, Israel's genocide in Gaza has continued unabated. A cease-fire is long overdue and could have been agreed upon months ago if the US had pressured Netanyahu to end his intransigence.
