Gaza City – As the initial prisoner exchange phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian factions nears completion, uncertainty looms over the next stage. Israeli officials have stated that discussions regarding the future are contingent upon the retrieval and burial of the remaining Israeli bodies held in Gaza.
Israel confirmed the recovery of one body on Thursday, leaving three more Israeli remains to be recovered from the Gaza Strip. This precondition has cast a shadow over the prospects for extending or building upon the current truce.
Amidst this ambiguity, various parties are presenting differing visions for the path forward. The United States is reportedly prioritizing its draft resolution at the UN Security Council. This resolution, according to analysts, has garnered support from Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and other nations.
Russia had previously proposed a counter-draft resolution concerning a plan to end the conflict in Gaza, opposing the US-backed version. However, the US mission to the UN urged the Security Council to proceed with the American text.
Furthermore, the US is reportedly attempting to persuade Israel to address the issue of Hamas fighters stranded in Rafah, southern Gaza. Washington apparently desires their relocation west of the ‘Yellow Line’ or to another country, a proposal to which Israel has not yet formally agreed.
A further priority for Washington is to quell the escalating violence in the West Bank, which they fear will negatively impact the peace process.
From an Arab perspective, priorities center on the formation of an international force in the Gaza Strip, seen as a catalyst for Israel’s gradual withdrawal from Gaza. Additionally, emphasis is placed on the imperative of delivering large-scale humanitarian aid and determining the structure of the future administration that will govern the territory.
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the current ceasefire can evolve into a more lasting and comprehensive resolution to the conflict.
