ESCONDIDO, California — In the aftermath of the devastating events in Israel on October 7, 2023 and the subsequent military operations in Gaza, the focus has shifted toward the fragile ceasefire deal that aims to provide a momentary pause to the conflict. The agreement has sparked conversations about the future of Gaza, Israel’s security, and the broader geopolitical landscape.
Facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, the current U.S. administration, and the incoming administration under President-elect Donald Trump, the ceasefire talks reflect a high-stakes international effort. Increased pressure and threats from Trump have influenced Hamas’s willingness to engage in negotiations after Hamas refused to negotiate in good faith forcing Qatar to pause its help last year.
One significant development is the emergence of Mohammed Sinwar as the leader of Hamas. Mohammed Sinwar, the brother of Yahya Sinwar—Hamas’ late former leader—has a history with acts of violence, most notably his involvement in orchestrating the 2006 kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Shalit was captured during a cross-border raid near the Kerem Shalom crossing and held in Gaza for over five years. Upon his release, he told us that his time in captivity was mostly in isolation and psychological torment. During that time, Hamas denied access to international organizations such as the Red Cross thus violating international humanitarian laws. Shalit was ultimately released in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange deal in which Israel freed over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Mohammed Sinwar’s leadership has made waves in the region, with renewed recruitment efforts causing a resurgence of Hamas’ presence and influence. This effort has fueled concerns about heightened instability and future threats to Israel. Before taking over his brother’s role, Mohammed was deeply involved with Hamas as he was heavily influenced by his brother, Yahya. Over the years, Mohammed has been involved in the creation of Hamas military infrastructure and the development of the underground tunnel networks.
As part of the current ceasefire agreement, 33 hostages are set to be released. This group includes women, children, elderly individuals, female soldiers, and the sick. However, it remains uncertain whether those listed are dead or alive. The agreement also includes a second stage of negotiations, set to occur on the 16th day of the ceasefire, which will address the release of male soldiers, men of military age, and the retrieval of deceased captives’ bodies. During this time, Israel will maintain control of the Philadelphi Corridor, a critical border area between Gaza and Egypt.
Amid these developments, Hamas is insisting that the body of Yahya Sinwar be returned to Gaza as part of the negotiations. However, Israel has firmly stated that this will not happen, making their stance publicly clear to dissuade further concessions that could empower the group.
On the streets of Gaza, locals have taken to celebrating the reports of the ceasefire approaching. For a population battered by war and loss caused by their leadership, even a brief cessation of violence offers a glimmer of relief, though the underlying issues remain unresolved. Hamas is expected to respond in the very near future in order to finalize the deal.
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Miriam Gershenson, an Israeli American, is a freelance writer.