Efforts that Averted the Collapse of the Gaza Ceasefire

Displaced Palestinians arrive in the northern Gaza Strip, following Israel's decision to allow thousands of them to go back for the first time since the early weeks of the 15-month war with Hamas, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP)
Displaced Palestinians arrive in the northern Gaza Strip, following Israel's decision to allow thousands of them to go back for the first time since the early weeks of the 15-month war with Hamas, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP)
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Efforts that Averted the Collapse of the Gaza Ceasefire

Displaced Palestinians arrive in the northern Gaza Strip, following Israel's decision to allow thousands of them to go back for the first time since the early weeks of the 15-month war with Hamas, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP)
Displaced Palestinians arrive in the northern Gaza Strip, following Israel's decision to allow thousands of them to go back for the first time since the early weeks of the 15-month war with Hamas, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP)

The Gaza truce faced fresh challenges over the last two days as Israel refused to allow displaced Palestinians in southern and central Gaza to return to the north, a key part of the agreement.

Instead, Israel insisted on the release of Israeli captive Arbel Yehoud before permitting any returns, raising concerns the deal could collapse.

The situation worsened after Hamas handed over four Israeli female captives. Hamas demanded mediators pressure Israel to honor its promises, including allowing displaced Palestinians to return.

Israel, however, refused to proceed until Yehoud’s release or guarantees for her return, with a critical deadline looming on Saturday.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Yehoud, held by Islamic Jihad and the Popular Resistance Committees, was confirmed alive after coordination with Hamas. However, Israel requested proof of life, a demand rejected by Palestinian factions to avoid giving Israel leverage without concessions.

Hamas took charge of negotiations, insisting that displaced Palestinians return before Yehoud’s release to prevent any potential Israeli deception. Disagreements also arose over Yehuod’s classification.

Hamas argued she was a reserve soldier, requiring 50 Palestinian prisoners to be freed in exchange. Israel claimed she was a civilian, which would reduce the exchange to 30 detainees.

Israel demanded a full list of captives set for release in the first phase. Palestinian factions complied, revealing more living captives than expected, which advanced talks on the return of displaced Palestinians.

To ease tensions, mediators suggested releasing two additional Israeli captives alongside Yehoud. Eventually, the factions agreed to release 30 Palestinian detainees as part of the exchange.

Hamas announced plans to release three more captives on Saturday, showing its ability to negotiate further exchanges.

However, sources warned of potential Israeli attempts to delay or undermine the agreement, especially as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces internal opposition within his government.

Meanwhile, more Palestinian faction leaders arrived in Cairo for talks with Egyptian mediators to prepare for the next phase of negotiations.

This phase will address rebuilding Gaza, governance under Hamas, and other post-war issues, which are expected to be even more challenging.

As tensions remain high, the truce hangs in the balance, with both sides maneuvering to secure their demands while avoiding a collapse of the fragile agreement.



European Leaders on Possibly Sending Peacekeepers into Ukraine

 Ukrainian servicemen of the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine put up barbed wire as part of a system of new fortification, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine February 14, 2025. (Reuters)
Ukrainian servicemen of the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine put up barbed wire as part of a system of new fortification, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine February 14, 2025. (Reuters)
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European Leaders on Possibly Sending Peacekeepers into Ukraine

 Ukrainian servicemen of the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine put up barbed wire as part of a system of new fortification, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine February 14, 2025. (Reuters)
Ukrainian servicemen of the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine put up barbed wire as part of a system of new fortification, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine February 14, 2025. (Reuters)

European leaders were holding an emergency meeting in Paris on Monday to discuss their role in Ukraine's future after the United States announced it would sit down with Russia to seek an end to the three-year war.

Here is what some have said ahead of the meeting on the issue of sending peacekeeping troops into Ukraine:

BRITAIN

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he is ready to send British troops to Ukraine as part of any postwar peacekeeping force.

"We're facing a generational challenge when it comes to national security," Starmer told reporters.

"I think there's a bigger piece here as well, which is that this isn't just about the front line in Ukraine. It's the front line of Europe and of the United Kingdom. It's about our national security and I think that we need to do more."

SPAIN

"It is too early at this time to speak about deploying troops to Ukraine as there is no peace at the moment," Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told reporters.

Albares also told radio station Onda Cero: "A war of aggression cannot be rewarded, we cannot encourage others to launch wars of aggression.

"Today I'm convinced Putin will keep attacking and bombing Ukraine. So I do not see peace on the horizon at the moment."

GERMANY

Asked if German troops could be deployed in a future peace mission in Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed the importance of a strong Ukrainian army.

"This will be a great task for Europe, for the US and international alliance partners," Scholz said. Future questions on security architecture would be addressed in due course, he said.

On the issue of European ground troops, a defense ministry spokesperson said: "If the framework is given, Germany will not shy away."

POLAND

"Poland will support Ukraine as it has done so far: organizationally, in accordance with our financial capabilities, in terms of humanitarian and military aid," Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters before boarding a plane to Paris.

"We do not plan to send Polish soldiers to the territory of Ukraine. We will ... give logistical and political support to the countries that will possibly want to provide such guarantees in the future, such physical guarantees."

SWEDEN

"There needs to be a very clear mandate for those forces and I don't think we can see that until we have come further in those negotiations," Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told Reuters. "But Sweden, we are normally a part of strengthening security in our part of the world, so I foresee us to be a part of that this time as well."

DENMARK

Ahead of the Paris meeting, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said: "We need to increase military support to Ukraine, we need to produce more, and we need to do it faster.

"And then we must remove the restrictions on the Ukrainians' use of weapons, so that they can actually defend themselves against the Russians without having one arm twisted around their back. A ceasefire must not lead to Russian rearmament, which is replaced by new Russian attacks."

THE NETHERLANDS

"We understand Europe needs to play a role. It is logical that the Netherlands is considered," Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof told reporters at the Munich Security Conference.

"There needs to be a strong mandate, because the Netherlands won't join any initiative whatsoever if there is not a clear mandate. (..) There also needs to be an escalation mechanism, in which the US needs to be prepared to be stand-by to act."