As Gaza death toll passes 40,000, corpses are buried in yards, streets, tiered graves
PBS NewsHourAug 20
Mediators Present Israel, Hamas 'Bridging Proposal'
Above: Smoke rises over the Gaza Strip after an Israeli bombardment as seen from a position on the Israeli side of the border on July 23, 2024 in Southern Israel, Israel. Image copyright: Amir Levy/Stringer/Getty Images Europe via Getty Images
The Facts
The US, Qatar, and Egypt reportedly presented a "bridging proposal" to Israel and Hamas during cease-fire talks, which resumed on Thursday. Hamas, which did not directly attend the talks, said it had been briefed on the proposal.
US officials said that progress was being made, with US Pres. Joe Biden saying, “we’re closer than...ever” to securing a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. However, a senior Hamas official said the US was creating a “false positive atmosphere."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The US and its allies are confident that after some tough negotiating, a deal between Israel and Hamas can be reached. A guaranteed end to the war will ensure increased humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave, release Israeli hostages, and create a better "day after" in Gaza without Hamas in power. The US will continue to work toward closing the gaps and ensuring that peace and stability can be restored to the region.
Pro-Israel narrative
Though Israel will do what it must to free those taken hostage in Gaza, it cannot rush into a deal that creates a lifeline for Hamas. Israel faces an entire network of Iranian-backed terror and must act wisely to gain as much as it can in negotiations with Hamas while avoiding full-scale regional escalation. Israel may have to make some tough, but necessary, concessions to ensure the release of the hostages and prevent further instability.
Pro-Palestine narrative
There is no indication that a cease-fire is on the horizon. Netanyahu has consistently sought to escalate the situation and prolong his political career. Israel's killing of Ismail Haniyeh was clearly a move to further complicate cease-fire negotiations and provoke an Iranian retaliation. The US has supported Israel every step of the way, including in its genocidal campaign in Gaza.