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Assassination of Hamas Figure Complicates Gaza Ceasefire Efforts, Biden Warns

Friday 02 August 2024 - 13:00

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In a recent statement that has captured international attention, US President Joe Biden voiced concerns about the impact of Ismail Haniyeh's assassination on the fragile ceasefire negotiations in Gaza. Speaking at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, Biden remarked that the killing of the senior Hamas official "doesn't help" the ongoing talks aimed at halting the conflict.

Haniyeh, a pivotal figure in Hamas who played a crucial role in ceasefire and hostage release negotiations from his base in Qatar, was killed during a visit to Tehran on Wednesday. While Iran and its allies have blamed Israel for the assassination, Israel has remained notably silent about the incident.

Biden's comments came amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Expressing concern about the situation, Biden urged both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas to act swiftly on the existing ceasefire framework. "We have the basis for a ceasefire. He [Netanyahu] should move on it and they [Hamas] should move on it now," Biden stated emphatically.

The assassination has complicated the already delicate negotiation process between Israel and Hamas. Recent weeks had seen a tentative resumption of indirect talks, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. However, conflicting reports and mutual accusations of obstruction have hampered progress.

In late May, Biden outlined what he described as the terms of an Israeli ceasefire proposal, which has since formed the basis for the intermittent negotiations. Yet, both parties have accused each other of stalling, with Hamas alleging that Israel introduced new conditions, while Netanyahu's office claimed that Hamas demanded 29 changes to the original proposal.

The current conflict began in October when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 hostages. Israel's military response has been equally devastating, with Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reporting at least 39,480 Palestinian casualties.

Biden's remarks on Haniyeh's assassination marked his first public comments on the issue. He also revealed that he had spoken with Netanyahu earlier on Thursday, reaffirming the US commitment to protect Israel "against all threats from Iran," which has vowed retaliation for Haniyeh's death.

Although Israel has not claimed responsibility for the assassination, Netanyahu's recent statements about delivering "crushing blows" to Iran's proxy groups have fueled speculation about Israeli involvement.

Haniyeh's assassination is one of several incidents that have heightened regional tensions. A recent strike on a football field in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights resulted in the deaths of 12 children and young people, which Israel attributed to Lebanon's Hezbollah movement. Hezbollah has denied involvement, but Israel has vowed "severe" retaliation.

In a related incident, Israel carried out a targeted airstrike in Beirut on Tuesday, killing senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, whom Israel accused of orchestrating the Golan Heights attack.

As the situation evolves, the international community watches closely. Haniyeh's assassination has added another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation, potentially jeopardizing efforts to achieve a ceasefire and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining whether diplomacy can overcome the cycle of violence that has engulfed the region. As global powers work to prevent further escalation, the path to peace in the Middle East remains fraught with challenges and uncertainties.