Finally, The War To End? Qatar’s Gaza Ceasefire Proposal. Israeli Soldiers Recount Horrors Of Gaza War Threaten To Stop Fighting If Gaza Ceasefire Deal Not Secured

Finally, The War To End? With just a week left before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office, officials have reported a breakthrough in Doha that could bring the long-standing Gaza war closer to its end.

Qatari mediators have sent Israel and Hamas a draft proposal aiming to halt the fighting and exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners, marking a potential turning point in the 15-month-old conflict.

Talks in Doha. A Step Toward Resolution

Negotiators are set to meet in Doha on Tuesday to finalize the details of the proposed agreement. U.S. President Joe Biden, who has been advocating for a ceasefire and hostage release deal, expressed optimism, stating the agreement was “on the brink” of being finalized.

According to sources, the final draft of the deal was presented to both parties on Monday after a midnight breakthrough in discussions that included envoys from the outgoing Biden administration and representatives of President-elect Trump. If the agreement succeeds, it would mark the most significant release of Israeli hostages since the conflict began. Hamas has reportedly agreed to release dozens of captives in exchange for 240 Palestinian detainees held by Israel.

Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, shared a hopeful outlook: “The parties are right on the cusp of being able to close this deal.” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that the decision now rests with Hamas, which has signaled a willingness to move forward. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also acknowledged progress, expressing gratitude for U.S. mediation efforts.

The War’s Devastating Toll

The war erupted in October 2023 when Hamas fighters launched a deadly assault, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking more than 250 hostages. Since then, the conflict has claimed over 46,000 lives in Gaza, with widespread destruction and displacement reported by Palestinian health officials.

Despite months of negotiations, both sides have remained steadfast in their demands. Hamas insists on a permanent end to the war and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Israel maintains that the war will not end until Hamas is dismantled. The January 20 inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is being viewed as a critical deadline for reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Trump has made his stance clear, warning that there will be “hell to pay” if hostages held by Hamas are not released before he takes office.

To ensure the deal has bipartisan support, both Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and President Biden’s envoy Brett McGurk have been actively participating in the ceasefire negotiations. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that their involvement has been “critical” to securing Trump’s backing for the proposed agreement.

Hostage Release Plan

An Israeli official outlined the phased approach of the draft deal –

First Stage: 33 hostages, including children, women (some of whom are female soldiers), men over 50, and the sick or wounded, would be released. Israel believes most are alive but lacks official confirmation from Hamas.

Second Stage: Starting on the 16th day of the ceasefire, negotiations would focus on the release of the remaining hostages, including male soldiers and men of military age, as well as the return of the bodies of deceased hostages.

Troop Withdrawal and Security Measures

The draft outlines a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops while maintaining security along key areas –

Border Perimeter: Israeli forces will remain to defend border towns and villages.
Philadelphi Corridor: Located on Gaza’s southern edge, Israeli troops will partially withdraw after the first few days, with security measures in place to prevent weapons movement.
Netzarim Corridor: Troops will withdraw from this central Gaza region, allowing unarmed residents to return under strict monitoring.

Humanitarian Aid. A Lifeline for Gaza

The draft ceasefire agreement proposes a substantial increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the United Nations and other international organizations have raised alarms about a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Although Israel currently permits aid into the enclave, disputes persist over the volume allowed and its distribution. Concerns over looting by criminal gangs have aggravated the challenges of ensuring aid reaches those in need.

Governance of Gaza. The Unresolved Question

The future governance of Gaza remains one of the thorniest issues in negotiations. This round of talks has avoided addressing it directly, given its complexity and the risk of derailing a ceasefire agreement.

Israel insists that Hamas must play no role in Gaza’s future and has also rejected the Palestinian Authority’s involvement. Israel has stated it will retain security control over Gaza post-conflict.

The global consensus is that Gaza should be governed by Palestinians. However, efforts to identify viable alternatives, such as civil society leaders or clan-based governance, have largely failed. Discussions are ongoing between Israel, the UAE, and the U.S. regarding a temporary administration for Gaza until a reformed Palestinian Authority can assume control.

Israeli Soldiers Push Back

Discontent among Israeli soldiers is growing as the war drags on. Reports indicate that a small but vocal group is refusing to continue fighting, citing ethical concerns about their actions during the 15-month conflict.

Approximately 200 soldiers have signed a letter declaring their refusal to serve unless the government secures a ceasefire. They describe this as the “tip of the iceberg,” encouraging others to speak out.

This resistance comes amid mounting international pressure on both Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire agreement.

Seven Israeli soldiers who refused to continue fighting in Gaza shared their accounts alleging indiscriminate killings of Palestinians and the destruction of homes that posed no apparent threat. Several soldiers reported being ordered to burn or demolish such homes and witnessing looting and vandalism by their peers.

In Israel, soldiers are generally expected to avoid political discourse and rarely criticize the military. However, the unity that followed Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, has given way to growing divisions as the war drags on. While most public criticism has centered on the rising death toll among soldiers and the failure to secure the release of hostages, some are beginning to question the military’s actions in Gaza.

Allegations of War Crimes

International rights organizations have accused Israel of war crimes and genocide in Gaza. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is investigating genocide allegations brought forward by South Africa, while the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Israel has vehemently denied these allegations, emphasizing its efforts to minimize civilian casualties and asserting that it does not intentionally target non-combatants. The Israeli army claims to investigate and address instances of misconduct, though rights groups argue that these investigations are often inadequate.

The Soldiers’ Protest

The group Soldiers for the Hostages, which organized a letter signed by dissenting troops, is working to build momentum. The group recently held an event in Tel Aviv where soldiers shared their experiences in Gaza. Posters with Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote, “One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws,” were distributed to attendees.

Max Kresch, one of the organizers, stressed the importance of soldiers using their voices to advocate for change. “We need to speak up in the face of injustice, even if it’s unpopular,” he said.

However, the movement has faced backlash from soldiers who believe the protests undermine the military’s ability to defend Israel. Gilad Segal, a 42-year-old paratrooper, defended the army’s actions, including the destruction of houses used as Hamas hideouts. “It’s not a soldier’s place to agree or disagree with the government,” he argued.

Ishai Menuchin, spokesperson for Yesh Gvul, a group supporting soldiers who refuse to serve, stated that over 80 soldiers have openly refused to fight, while hundreds more share similar sentiments but remain silent.

Despite the controversy, the army has condemned refusals to serve, examining each case individually. While soldiers can face jail time for such actions, none of the signatories of the protest letter have been detained thus far.

Conflict, Regret, and Moral Injury

Some soldiers who spoke expressed deep conflict and regret over their actions in Gaza. They shared their experiences with friends and family as a way to process the trauma.

According to Tuly Flint, a trauma therapy specialist who has counseled hundreds of soldiers during the war, many suffer from “moral injury.” This occurs when individuals witness or commit actions that contradict their core beliefs, leading to symptoms like insomnia, flashbacks, and feelings of guilt or unworthiness. Flint emphasized that discussing these experiences and working toward change can aid in recovery.

One former infantry soldier recounted his guilt, describing how he witnessed approximately 15 buildings burned unnecessarily during a two-week period in late 2023. Reflecting on his involvement, he expressed deep regret stating that while he didn’t light the match, but he stood guard outside the house and participated in war crimes.  He stated,  “I’m so sorry for what we’ve done.”

Adding to the urgency, reports suggest growing frustration among Israeli soldiers, with some threatening to stop fighting unless a ceasefire deal is secured. The horrors of the prolonged conflict have taken a toll on troops, intensifying calls for a resolution.

As mediators push for a final agreement, will this ceasefire deal bring lasting peace, or will it falter like previous attempts? Only time will tell if this marks the beginning of the end for the Gaza war.