**Fresh Hopes for Gaza Ceasefire After Eight Months of War**
There’s a new sense of hope that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could work after being stuck in negotiations for eight months. Several things have changed, both on the ground and politically.
**US Pressure Plays a Role**
The election of Donald Trump as US president has brought new pressure to end the war in Gaza. Trump has threatened to take strong action if hostages aren’t released before his inauguration on January 20th. This may make Hamas think that even the US administration’s brakes are being lifted, which could be good news for a territory already shattered by 15 months of war.
**Israeli Pressure Builds**
Israel is also feeling pressure from Trump to end the conflict in Gaza, as it threatens to interfere with his plans for a wider regional deal and his image as a president who ends wars. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces continued pressure from his far-right coalition allies to continue the war.
**Key Figures Weigh In**
The meeting between Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich last night was significant. Smotrich seemed unconvinced about the current deal, calling it a “catastrophe” for Israel’s national security. However, some analysts believe that Smotrich and his allies may be using their current role to cement control over the West Bank, especially with Trump returning to the White House.
**Growing Pressure from Military Establishment**
There’s also growing pressure on Netanyahu from his own military establishment. Key figures have challenged him repeatedly on the dwindling military goals in continuing the war. The killing of 10 Israeli soldiers in Gaza last week has brought attention to the costs of the war and whether a “total victory” over Hamas is achievable.
**Regional Shifts Favor Ceasefire**
The weakening of Hamas allies in Iran’s “Axis of Resistance”, along with the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, has also played into the shift in expectations. For all these reasons, now seems like the best chance in months to bridge the gaps between Israel and Hamas and bring an end to the war.
Read More @ www.bbc.com