Israel (Washington Insider) – Tensions rise between
Israel and Hamas after the commander Raed Saad was killed near Gaza City.
Nearly 800 Israeli strikes killed hundreds. Netanyahu demands return of captive
Ran Gvili before phase 2 of U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
As The Diplomatic Insight reported, tensions between Israel
and Hamas have risen after the killing of Raed Saad, a senior Hamas commander,
near Gaza City. They mentioned that the attack has added pressure to the
delayed 2nd phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Israel said Palestinian
groups are blocking the return of the remains of the last Israeli
captive.
The country also accused Hamas of trying to rearm in
violation of the truce. In a video statement, Hamas leader in Gaza, Khalil
al-Hayya, confirmed Saad’s death. He said Israel is undermining the peace
process. Both sides blamed each other for the stalemate. Al-Hayya urged
international mediators, highlighting U.S. President Donald Trump, to pressure
Israel into upholding the ceasefire.
“The continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire
… and the targeted assassinations threaten the viability of the agreement,”
Al-Hayya said.
What is blocking the Gaza ceasefire phase 2 between Israel
and Hamas?
Since the ceasefire began on October 10, 2023, Gaza
authorities say Israel has carried out nearly 800 attacks in the region. The
strikes have killed hundreds of Palestinians and limited the delivery of humanitarian
aid, according to Al Jazeera.
Israel has said the return of the remains of the last
Israeli captive, Ran Gvili, is necessary before the 2nd phase of the truce can
start. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Raed Saad, the senior Hamas
commander recently killed, as
“the primary figure in charge of Hamas’s effort to build
up its strength and arm itself.”
He
accused Saad of leading efforts to remilitarize Gaza, including
replenishing and smuggling weapons.
Netanyahu emphasised that,
“Our policy will remain very forceful, and it is an
independent one. We decide on the actions; we decide on the responses. We
decide what needs to be done to ensure the security of Israel and the security
of Israeli soldiers.”
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, if
Israel’s security is in danger, the country will act by itself. The United
States (US) and Israel conflict over how quickly the ceasefire is being
implemented, with the US wanting the 2nd phase of the ceasefire implemented as
soon as possible, while Israel is demanding complete adherence to the ceasefire
agreements before any advancement to the 2nd phase can take place, including
the return of Gvili’s remains.
The ceasefire was negotiated in October 2023 and consists of
2 phases. Phase 1 included stopping the fighting, returning living captives,
handing over the deceased, and providing humanitarian access to Gaza. The 2nd
phase has not yet begun and will include the withdrawal of Israel, the disarmament
of Palestinian fighters, and a complete end to hostilities between the 2 sides.
