A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has brought calm to Lebanon after weeks of deadly strikes and ground clashes. The ceasefire agreement was implemented despite Hezbollah's former leader Hassan Nasrallah's vow that a truce with Israel would only be reached if a ceasefire was declared in Gaza. However, negotiations for a truce in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages have been at a stalemate for months, with both sides rejecting each other's demands.
The outgoing Biden administration sees a 'newfound opportunity' after the truce agreement in Lebanon to push for a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. National security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed optimism that there might be a chance to drive forward negotiations in Gaza, especially with the pressure mounting on Hamas.
Despite this optimism, Crisis Group's Senior Palestine Analyst Tahani Mustafa remains skeptical. Mustafa believes that the ceasefire in Lebanon has not significantly altered the dynamics of a potential ceasefire in Gaza. She pointed out that the challenges remain the same, with both sides holding conflicting demands and Israel not feeling compelled to engage seriously in negotiations.
As the situation unfolds, the focus now shifts to Gaza, where the prospects of a ceasefire and a hostage deal remain uncertain. The international community continues to monitor the developments closely, hoping for a breakthrough that could bring peace and stability to the region.
