Cease-fire efforts for Israel-Hamas war gain steam, but agreement still appears elusive

Hamas ought to release the Israeli women and children it kidnapped. That would make the prospect of a cease fire more possible.

stormcrow

Today 07:11 am JST

Hamas ought to release the Israeli women and children it kidnapped.

Or they could wait for the Netanyahu administration to implode under the weight of internal and external condemnation, extremists and moderates pulling in different directions, pending corruption charges, investigations into culpability for the October 7th attacks, and waging a pointlessly devastating conflict and totally failing to achieve their objectives.

Only the release of the hostages will put the emphasis on the government of Israel to reciprocate with a ceasefire. No guarantees, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could just run down the clock, stall.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will continue with the offensive until a “final victory” achieves all of its goals. He expects the war to last throughout 2024 and has resisted calls from the U.S. and other allies to lay out a clear postwar plan for Gaza. 

The people of Israel, in a general election is another route to a resolution to pause this war that threatens to bomb the Gaza strip into a total wasteland.

Hamas has a choice, negotiate or war.

Any talk of a Palestinian independent state is a distant memory.

Or they could wait for the Netanyahu administration to implode under the weight of internal and external condemnation, extremists and moderates pulling in different directions, pending corruption charges, investigations into culpability for the October 7th attacks, and waging a pointlessly devastating conflict and totally failing to achieve their objectives.

Exactly.

"Any talk of a Palestinian state is a distant memory "

Funny, because the US and the EU, plus UK, Australia, Latin American nations, China, Japan and everyone else ARE SAYING THE OPPOSITE !

Even moderate Israeli commentators call for a two state solution.

Retired Israeli Generals wrote a joint letter in favour of a 2 state solution.

It was the deadliest single attack since Israel sent ground troops into Gaza in October.

AP repeating this lie yet again: over 200 hundred Palestinians have been murdered every day since October 7th.

As far as AP is concerned they don't count as human beings.... these "news stories" belong on the walls of a genocide museum.

GuruMick, the Israeli government would be required to endorse any action initiative giving such a proposals diplomatic credibility.

After 7 oct, the atrocities. thostage brutally assaulted, any possiblity of a two state solution is a fallacy.

Any security garrantees with terrorist organizations is simply make believe.

As soon as the hypocrites in the US force the war criminals hand in Israel this will be done and dusted. Then Netanyahu can go to jail!

Watched a video this morning of IDF shooting an unarmed Palestinian man carrying a white flag in a Gaza 'safe zone'.

Most moral army in the world...

Now Israel has murdered all the journalists in Gaza they can do what they want! Most disgusting Hypocrisy to come out of the 21st century!

A ceasefire deal with the extreme right-wing government of Israel should start with the promise by the Israelis to establish a permanent peace with the Arabs of Palestine, rebuilding what they destroyed in Gaza, removing settlers from the West Bank and financial compensation to the survivors of the Gaza Holocaust, like the Germans are still giving for the past crimes of their former extreme right-wing government. Oh, and the "cherry on the cake": bringing all the war criminals to justice in the Hague.

Hard to put the kinetic 'genie' back in the bottle.

Hamas has nothing to lose, Israel meanwhile is suffering massive global reputational (Gaza Genocide) and economic damage and it's PM and his party is collapsing in popularity, due to the above, hostages, etc.

Meanwhile, Muslim are rallying to damage the global shipping industry, further damaging Israel and the global economy in general with inflation and supply chain issues etc. Plus, we've got heightened terror risk globally now!

Gee, thanks Bibbie!

A ceasefire must pave the way for Two States, Israel and Palestine on the land of Palestine. Anything thing less that this reality is just a Bandage Game. Israel knows it, the U.S. knows it, and is the rest who are involved.

So Manup Israel and do the right thing, or just keep on killing and dying.

Israel declared itself a state without any UN backing at the time of it's creation.

The world, with leadership from the major players, could endorse a Palestinian state without the lack lustre acquiescence of Israel....and start treating Palestinian lands as independent from Israel.

How ? Establish diplomatic relations , establish trade ties, and people to people links in areas such as education and medicine ,enforce "no fly " zones as the US and UN have done in other conflicts, assist in the rebuilding of everything from agriculture , fishermans assets , housing, universities etc.

The world has a problem and it''s name is Israel...

IC to deliver interim findings on Jan 26....lets see how that pans out and whether Israel , "the only democracy in the ME " {lol } can adhere to the rule of law

Israel has vowed to press ahead until it destroys Hamas’ military and governing capabilities and frees all hostages.

As Israel should and has the right to do. No one can argue validly against that.

AP repeating this lie yet again: over 200 hundred Palestinians have been murdered every day since October 7th.

False. No murder. This is war. Israel is not targeting civilians.

Murder was committed by Hamas. Plain and simple. Disagree?

Now Israel has murdered all the journalists in Gaza they can do what they want! 

Not murder when someone accepts the risks to go into a war zone. Which is why no one is bringing murder charges. Makes sense, doesn't it?

Oh, and the "cherry on the cake": bringing all the war criminals to justice in the Hague.

You think Hamas will go willingly?

False. No murder. This is war. Israel is not targeting civilians.

Video evidence suggests otherwise.

Israeli news channel debunking the countless BS claims made by IDF.

https://x.com/mehdirhasan/status/1750205672329707559?s=20

The Israeli govt. at present is teetering on electoral defeat...Netanyahu not a popular man.

I dont know if a change at the political level could change the anti Palestinian sentiment present in a great majority of Israelis''.

Sad people.

Convinced of their own righteousness.

Video evidence suggests otherwise.

Doesn't prove it. Israel hs stated from the beginning they don't and won't target civilians. Israel told the civilians to move out of the north. So, no intent, and not murder.

Hamas admits they target civilians--no problem with that?

Hamas admits they target civilians--no problem with that?

I have never once vouched for Hamas. They clearly targeted civilians during their attack, whether or not that was the initial plan. Any targeting of civilians is despicable, and I condemn it. That is why it is so important to hold Israel to account for their crimes as well. No exceptions.

Doesn't prove it.

You could watch it happen first hand and you wouldn't believe it.

Israel had a state, somewhere in the heart of Europe between Poland, Germany, and Austria, nearly half if not more of Modern Israelis came from these lands and had Homes, Properties, Businesses, and Families. that are still living there.

So for anyone who claims Palestine is a Jewish state is either delusional of simply lying.

I have never once vouched for Hamas. They clearly targeted civilians during their attack, whether or not that was the initial plan.

What do you mean "whether or not that was the initial plan"? They "accidentally" targeted civilians?

Hamas' written plans instructed their murderers to target elementary schools, a youth center in a kibbutz, infiltrate villages and target places where civilians and children gather and to kill as many people as possible.

Zibalia - I have heard the justification that Israeli babies will grow up into IDF because of the service requirement. Makes sense if you think about it.

Congratulation Mr. Netanyahu, you have just added your name and the state of Israel to the list of War Criminal .

Mr. Netanyahu has destroyed and stained the hard work of all Jews and non Jews around the world who worked so hard, and fought and died for Israel.

Very few other so called leader have ever earned this Honor.

Zibala has seen "Hamas specific plans "...really ? Written in English were they ?

Hamas' written plans instructed their murderers to target elementary schools, a youth center in a kibbutz, infiltrate villages and target places where civilians and children gather and to kill as many people as possible.

No, they didnt.

Zibala has seen "Hamas specific plans "...really ? Written in English were they ?

LOL! Brilliant Mick!

Israel media group {Plus 972} reporting that Israeli intelligence service now using the figures for the dead Gazan's , as issued by the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Good enough for the intel group, not good enough for one poster on here.

Zibala has seen "Hamas specific plans "...really ? Written in English were they ?

Hmm, well gurumick, let's read on:

'Top secret' Hamas documents show that terrorists intentionally targeted elementary schools and a youth center

*They include detailed maps and show that *Hamas intended to kill or take hostage civilians and school children.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/top-secret-hamas-documents-show-terrorists-intentionally-targeted-elem-rcna120310

No, they didnt.

Yes they did.

There is no way that Hamas should be rewarded with a state after the horror they unleashed. The only thing Hamas needs is to be erased from the face of the Earth. Unfortunately, in their heart of hearts most Palestinians actually prefer a one state solution, 'from the river to the sea'. The very existence of a Jewish state as a neighbor is anathema to them- reminds them of their past failures to kill all the Jews in the area.

If you want a cease fire, a good start would be if the so-called 'peaceful innocent' civilians of Gaza would turn over all Hamas members to the IDF, along with the hostages and all weapons used to attack Israeli civilians. If they were to do so, the war would be over in a day.

But that won't happen because Hamas enjoys widespread support among the people of Gaza. And as long as they support Hamas, they will pay a price.

Yes they did.

Sure, according to the IDF. The same IDF who claim to have found copies of Mein Kaumpf in childrens bedrooms. The same IDF who claim to be the moral army in the world, whilst shooting civilians waving white flags, both Palestinian and Israeli.

Pull the other one, its got bells on.

Sure, according to the IDF. The same IDF who claim to have found copies of Mein Kaumpf in childrens bedrooms. The same IDF who claim to be the moral army in the world, whilst shooting civilians waving white flags, both Palestinian and Israeli.

"Civilians" in Gaza:

-70% voted for Hamas

-72% support the Hamas massacre of civilians

-thousands assisted Hamas in the 10/7 massacre

-in more than 90% of their homes, arms and ammunition used by Hamas have been found

-100% teach their children to hate and want to kill the Jews

-95% want to destroy the state of Israel

-thousands encourage their children to join Hamas

The moral--if you kill Israeli children, teach your children to want to kill the Jews, keep weapons to be used by terrorists to kill Jewish children, encourage your own children to join Hamas, well, there is not really a line separating "Hamas terrorists" and "innocent civilians".

A two-state solution would be for the Arabs, not Hamas. It is gathering support internationally and even by some Israelis.

@Jik

Not sure where you are getting these figures. Hamas was voted in with 44% of the vote in 2006, and thats the easiest of your fantastical statistics to look up.

ChabbawangaToday  12:17 pm JST

@Jik

Not sure where you are getting these figures. Hamas was voted in with 44% of the vote in 2006, and thats the easiest of your fantastical statistics to look up.

The Zio supporters have never let the truth get in the way of a good story! According to them this all started on Oct 7 and prior to that everyone was living in Utopia with Arabs and Jews holding hands and singing Kumbaya....

A two-state solution would be for the Arabs, not Hamas. It is gathering support internationally and even by some Israelis.

There is a second state for the Arabs. Jordan.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will continue with the offensive until a “final victory” achieves all of its goals. 

Gotta respect a strong leader trying to protect the lives of his people, instead of a people trying to just kill others.

Gotta respect a strong leader trying to protect the lives of his people

Like Putin?

Like Putin?

Another reason why you have no credibility here.

Post more silliness!

zibala

A two-state solution would be for the Arabs, not Hamas. It is gathering support internationally and even by some Israelis.

> There is a second state for the Arabs. Jordan.

No. A two-state solution will be in Gaza and the West Bank. Nearly 50% of Israelis support the idea.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will continue with the offensive until a “final victory” achieves all of its goals. 

Seems like the IDF is unable to wipe out the Hamas.

Gotta respect a strong leader trying to protect the lives of his people, instead of a people trying to just kill others.

The days of Netanyahu are limited and will be gone soon. Losing support.

No. A two-state solution will be in Gaza and the West Bank. Nearly 50% of Israelis support the idea.

It is an unrelated issue anyway to the Hamas murdering of over 1000 people.

Besides, the Arabs themselves have rejected that idea. Won't happen.

Seems like the IDF is unable to wipe out the Hamas.

Seems like the IDF has killed 10,000+ Hamas members so obviously Israel is on the right path.

The days of Netanyahu are limited and will be gone soon. Losing support.

What you don't understand is that even Netanyahu's political foes support him and the war.

This war is going to take another year or so. Plenty of time to keep eliminating Hamas and its supporters.

Hamas ought to release the Israeli women and children it kidnapped. That would make the prospect of a cease fire more possible.

I believe the remaining "hostages" are all military, so they are prisoners of war, not hostages.

But israel should release the thousands of hostages they've been holding for years, including women and children.

Another reason why you have no credibility here.

Putin and Nentanyahu are cut from the same cloth.

The war won't take another year because Israel cannot afford it and international opposition grows daily.

Many Israelis know the only way to peace is the two-state solution. The support for Netanyahu is 15%.

But israel should release the thousands of hostages they've been holding for years, including women and children.

Israel has no hostages. It does have prisoners, such as convicted murderers and terrorists.

The war won't take another year because Israel cannot afford it and international opposition grows daily.

You don't understand that Arab countries objecting to Israel's self-defense means nothing.

And Israel has kept up the war for almost 4 months. It will continue.

Many Israelis know the only way to peace is the two-state solution.

No, this is not even a consideration, and has nothing to do with the war; just an irrelevant comment.

This is the reality of war for Palestinians/Gaza....... 24 January 2024 

MapLab: Mapping Gaza’s Destruction

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-01-24/maplab-mapping-gaza-s-destruction

Regardless of the politics, the histrionics to whether or not a two state solution is variable.

Over, at an estimate, one third of the Gaza strip is uninhabitable.

Hamas are unable to secure any future for the Palestinian people.

Three more months of war, what will be left other than to evacuate the entire Strip?

Hamas needs to accept this fact.

The only hope for a cease fire and peace lies with the replacement of Israeli leaders; the madmen in power now have passed beyond all sense of humanity.