Could Israel’s Netanyahu be about to agree to a Gaza ceasefire?
Al Jazeera
Rumours that Israeli prime minister may finally put his name to an agreement with Hamas abound, but why now?
Indications that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could be ready to agree to end the assault on Gaza that has killed 44,800 people – with thousands more lost under the rubble and presumed dead – could raise hopes of an end to the war.
After meeting with Netanyahu this week, United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said he “got the sense” Netanyahu was “ready to do a deal”. Until now, Netanyahu has been seen as blocking any chances of a ceasefire.
In September, Netanyahu’s 11th-hour objections sank a ceasefire deal that was reportedly near being signed. Documents he used to justify his decision to continue bombing Gaza were later found by Israeli authorities to have been forged.
Since then, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for both men for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza since the war began in October 2023.
On Wednesday, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and expressing support for the work of UNRWA (UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees), which Israel banned from operating in Israel and the Palestinian territory.
