What's happened
Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya accused Israel of violating the October ceasefire by killing Hamas commander Raad Saad and others. Despite ongoing Israeli attacks and violations of humanitarian access, Hamas insists the role of international forces should be limited to maintaining the ceasefire, rejecting any internal intervention.
What's behind the headline?
The killing of Raad Saad signals a deepening crisis despite the ceasefire. Hamas views Israel's continued military actions as violations that threaten the agreement's viability, especially with nearly 800 strikes since October. The group's insistence that international peacekeepers only maintain the ceasefire and not intervene internally underscores their resistance to external control and disarmament. This stance complicates efforts for a sustainable peace, as Hamas links its military capabilities to Palestinian sovereignty and the broader goal of establishing an independent state. The U.S. and international mediators face a delicate balancing act: they must ensure compliance with the ceasefire while addressing Hamas's demands for sovereignty and resistance rights. The upcoming U.S.-hosted conference in Doha will be pivotal in shaping the next phase, particularly regarding the deployment and mandate of international forces. The recent assassinations and continued Israeli strikes highlight the fragility of the current truce and foreshadow potential escalation if diplomatic efforts falter. The situation remains volatile, with Hamas prepared to resist disarmament unless it aligns with Palestinian independence, making a comprehensive peace agreement increasingly elusive.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel reports that Hamas leader Hayya condemned Israel for violating the ceasefire through targeted killings, including Raad Saad, and emphasized Hamas's stance on resistance and sovereignty. Al Jazeera highlights Israel's continued attacks, with at least 25 wounded, and Hamas's accusations that Israel breaches the truce, calling for international mediation to enforce compliance. Reuters notes Hayya's call for international forces to limit their role to ceasefire maintenance, emphasizing Hamas's rejection of any internal intervention. All sources agree that the killing of Raad Saad marks a significant escalation and underscores the fragile state of the ceasefire, with ongoing Israeli military actions and Hamas's firm stance on resistance and sovereignty.
How we got here
Since the October 2023 ceasefire, Israel has continued daily attacks on Gaza, breaching the agreement. Hamas and Israel are approaching a second phase of the ceasefire, which involves Israeli withdrawal and Palestinian disarmament. The killing of Raad Saad, a senior Hamas commander, marks a significant escalation amid ongoing tensions and disputes over ceasefire implementation and international peacekeeping roles.
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More on these topics
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Khalil al-Hayya is a senior Hamas official who was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council on 25 January 2006 as a representative of Gaza City. He resides in the neighborhood of Shuja'iyya.
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The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has