This is how the presidential election in the United States can affect the ceasefire

 

Gaza
Expert: Could be "Biden's last proposal"

Martina Karpmyr

Published 18.43

Many believe that both Hamas and Israel are trying to "buy time" in the negotiations on a ceasefire, according to Middle East expert Anders Persson.

But time is running out for a decisive voice in the peace talks.

- Whatever Biden promises and says, it is not certain that Trump will keep it, he says.

Mediators from Egypt, the United States and Qatar are meeting on Wednesday in Doha to continue negotiations on a ceasefire.

At the same time, the Israeli attacks on Gaza continue. 
 

No clear answers

It is "a mess" trying to follow the negotiations on a ceasefire, according to Anders Persson, Middle East researcher at Linnaeus University.

US President Joe Biden presented a proposal for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in a speech on Friday. Since then, the confusion has grown.

On Tuesday, Qatar announced that neither Hamas nor Israel had come up with a clear answer to the proposal.
 

Locked for Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu already repeated this weekend that Israel's attitude has not changed. There will be no end to the war until Hamas is destroyed.

Two far-right ministers have also threatened to quit Netanyahu's government if the proposal is passed.

The most likely thing is that Netanyahu is currently saying one thing to Biden, another to the right-wing extremists in his government coalition and one to his own party.

- To Biden: "I want to compromise", to the extremists: "I don't want to compromise" and to the party: "Yes, but I might want to compromise".

Joe Biden. Photo: Julien De Rosa / AP

Saying "yes, but"

The White House stated yesterday that it is still awaiting a response from terror-labeled Hamas.

A Hamas spokesman responded by saying it welcomed the proposal, accusing the United States of making it look like it was trying to prevent a deal, according to Reuters.

In this situation, as in previous negotiations on a ceasefire, it is difficult for both parties to present a policy that they can stand for, according to Anders Persson.

- Many assess that both Hamas and Israel want to buy time, he says.

Both parties have basically said "yes, but" to the proposal, which is strategically wise, according to Anders Persson.

- You wait for the other side to get into some kind of trouble that makes it easier to get your own bid through.

 

Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Amir Cohen/AP

New offensive in central Gaza

Today, Israel announced that a new offensive had begun in central Gaza. At least 75 people have been killed in attacks on the Maghazi and Bureij refugee camps in the city of Dayr al-Balah, several media reports.

- The sound of bombs did not stop all night, a woman in Deir Al-Balah told the news agency Reuters.

The new attacks will probably not complicate the situation in the negotiations, according to Anders Persson.

- This is a new offensive in central Gaza, but I cannot say that it changes the big picture in any way.

Donald Trump. Photo: Frank Franklin II/AP

Could be Biden's last deal

The fact that the presidential election in the United States is approaching can, however, affect the negotiations, according to Anders Persson.

- This could be Biden's last proposal for an agreement before the presidential election campaign gets under way in earnest, he says.

The fact that another person may be in the presidency in the near future makes it more difficult to trust the promises coming from the White House now.

- Whatever Biden promises and says, it is not certain that Trump will keep it, if he wins the election, says Anders Persson.

- This means that Biden is in a much weaker position.