Pressure mounts on Hamas to agree to ceasefire and hostage deal

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 14 members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad on Sunday during multiple attacks on Gaza.

The Israeli military confirmed targeting over 100 sites across the territory over the weekend, killing dozens of Hamas militants and destroying rocket launchers that had been used to fire at Israel in recent days.

Amid the ongoing violence, efforts to broker a ceasefire and secure the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza have gained momentum. Israeli negotiators resumed talks on Friday in Doha, with Qatari, Egyptian, and U.S. mediators facilitating the discussions. 

The urgency to reach an agreement has grown as the clock ticks closer to the January 20 inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

The Biden administration has also intensified its involvement, urging Hamas to finalize a deal. In response, Hamas stated it is committed to reaching an agreement swiftly, though the extent of progress remains unclear.

Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have openly expressed frustration with Hamas' delays. 

On the ground, Hamas’ military structure has been decimated, leaving the group without effective command. Negotiations are now centered on the group’s political wing in Doha, which faces mounting pressure to agree on hostages and a ceasefire.

However, Hamas’ political leadership fears that making concessions could erode its influence, complicating the negotiation process.

Hamas is no longer in a position to dictate terms. Its insistence on holding out only exacerbates the suffering of Gaza’s civilian population, already reeling under the ongoing conflict.