Bilawal Kamran
Recent talks in Doha between Israeli negotiators and Hamas, facilitated by Egypt and Qatar, raised brief hopes of a ceasefire in Gaza. However, as with many past negotiations, Israel appears uninterested in halting its military campaign in the occupied Palestinian territories. Despite over a week of ceasefire discussions, the mood remains bleak. Reports indicate that Israel is imposing new conditions, with Hamas officials claiming the talks are stalled. Meanwhile, Israel continues its relentless bombing campaign, including attacks on Gaza’s hospitals, and the death toll has surpassed 45,000 after more than a year of violence.
Israel’s behavior suggests that it may be using the negotiations to appear committed to peace while buying time ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential transition. With Donald Trump set to return to the White House, he has vowed that there will be “hell to pay” if Israeli captives are not returned by his inauguration. Observers worry this could signal Washington’s approval for Israel to intensify its actions in Gaza. The ongoing violence since October 7, 2023, has brought unimaginable suffering to the region, and it is unclear what Trump’s policies will bring, though his rhetoric suggests strong backing for Israel.
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The prospects for peace in Gaza and the wider Middle East in 2025 look grim. With Trump’s incoming administration likely to follow in the footsteps of the Biden White House in defending Israel, even as the international community condemns Israel’s actions as genocide, the situation seems destined to worsen. The possibility of further escalation in Syria or a confrontation with Iran adds to the uncertainty. Diplomatic efforts and justice are crucial to preventing further conflict, but with little to no commitment to either in the major global capitals, the people of the Middle East must brace for continued chaos and instability.
