(Washington Insider Magazine) —Omar Rahman, a fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, expressed doubts regarding the prospects of a ceasefire agreement in the ongoing conflict. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Rahman noted that the absence of detailed information raises concerns about overcoming significant obstacles to a potential deal.
He highlighted that past negotiations have not faltered over logistical details such as the timing of prisoner releases, but rather over fundamental issues that remain unresolved. “The core divide lies in Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s stance, as he has indicated no intention to end the conflict in the near future,” Rahman stated from New York. He added that Netanyahu’s plan to resume military action after the release of hostages stands in stark contrast to Hamas’s demands for a permanent cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
This fundamental disagreement complicates the negotiation process, leaving many uncertain about how these issues might be resolved. Rahman further emphasized the lack of assurance that any agreement would transition from the initial phase—focused on hostage releases—to a broader and lasting cessation of violence.
