The Israeli army, which entered the buffer zone in Syrian territory shortly after the overthrow of the Baathist regime in Syria, is signaling a long-term presence in the region. Amid accelerating ceasefire negotiations, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz has announced that Israel will maintain security control in Gaza, mirroring its approach in the West Bank.

Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the continuation of the occupation of the buffer zone on Mount Hermon, initiated after the fall of the Baath regime, until the end of next year. While officials initially described the occupation as temporary, subsequent reports indicate plans to extend it through the winter months and potentially beyond.

According to a report on Channel 12 News, Netanyahu instructed the Israeli army to maintain its occupation in the buffer zone on Mount Hermon until the end of 2025. His visit to the area yesterday, alongside Defense Minister Katz and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, underscored the government’s commitment to the region. In a statement, Netanyahu emphasized that the occupation would persist “until an arrangement is found to ensure Israel’s security.”

Defense Minister Katz further instructed the army to fortify the region, describing Mount Hermon as “the eye of the State of Israel.” This position reflects a broader strategy of long-term security control.

The incursion into the buffer zone, established under a 1974 agreement between Israel and Syria with United Nations peacekeepers, has faced widespread condemnation. Countries including France, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, and Jordan have criticized the move as a violation of international law and Syria’s territorial integrity. Israel contends that the agreement is no longer valid due to the Syrian army’s withdrawal from posts following the collapse of the Damascus government.

In Gaza, Defense Minister Katz has stated that Israel will maintain security control over the region after dismantling Hamas’ military and governmental infrastructure. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Katz clarified that Israel’s approach to Gaza would mirror its strategy in the occupied West Bank. The West Bank, while partially administered by the Palestinian Authority, remains under tight Israeli security control, with frequent military operations.

Diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza have been hindered by disputes over Israel’s insistence on maintaining forces in key areas. According to The Wall Street Journal, both Palestinians and some Israelis have expressed concerns that “security control” may evolve into a prolonged military occupation.

Members of Netanyahu’s Likud party and allied coalition groups have advocated for tighter control in Gaza, including the establishment of Jewish settlements. The construction of a vast security corridor, referred to as Netzarim, has further heightened tensions. This infrastructure includes military bases, checkpoints, and other installations, effectively dividing Gaza.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has repeatedly ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, including Gaza and the West Bank, violates international law. The ICJ has stated that such occupations must remain temporary and outlined the legal responsibilities of an occupying power toward the population.

Diana Buttu, a former legal adviser to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), told The Wall Street Journal that Katz’s comments, combined with Israel’s ongoing construction of military infrastructure, signal a shift toward “outright military control” over Palestinian lives in Gaza.

Negotiations for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza are ongoing, though Israeli media report that Hamas remains unconvinced about a permanent truce.

CIA Director Bill Burns is set to meet Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha. This follows two days of talks between Hamas and Israeli delegations in the Qatari capital. Axios, citing an Israeli official, reported that Burns will discuss the status of the indirect negotiations with his Qatari counterpart.

Israeli state television KAN disclosed on December 16 that an Israeli delegation with “limited powers” traveled to Doha to negotiate a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. Hamas issued a statement confirming the potential for an agreement, provided Israel refrains from imposing new conditions. “In light of the serious and positive talks that took place in Doha under the auspices of our Qatari and Egyptian brothers, Hamas confirms that it is possible to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and prisoner exchange if the occupation stops imposing new conditions,” the statement read.

Additional negotiations are occurring in Cairo. Sources close to the talks told Reuters that an agreement might be signed in the coming days. Mohammed al-Hind, deputy head of Hamas’s ally Palestinian Islamic Jihad, also met with Egyptian officials as part of these discussions.

Adam Boehler, recently appointed as the U.S. special envoy for the hostages by President-elect Donald Trump, was in Cairo for discussions with Egyptian officials. Boehler met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday and is expected to travel to Doha today. The Biden administration is reportedly collaborating with Trump’s team to finalize a ceasefire before the presidential inauguration on January 20.

Despite progress, major hurdles remain. White House spokesperson John Kirby expressed cautious optimism in an interview with Fox News, noting, “We have come to this point before, but we have not reached a conclusion.” Israeli sources echoed these sentiments, citing significant unresolved issues. The Walla news website reported, based on three senior Israeli officials, that while progress has been made, major disagreements persist.

Hamas insists any agreement must include a commitment to ending the war and the occupation. Israel, on the other hand, proposes a short-term ceasefire of one to two months in exchange for the release of hostages. Additionally, Hamas has agreed not to participate in Gaza’s post-war administration under certain conditions, though it has not retreated from its primary demand: a permanent end to hostilities and occupation.

Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas appear closer than ever to reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, alongside a potential deal on prisoner swaps, according to mediators cited by the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar.

The report, published in a newspaper closely aligned with Hezbollah, signals growing momentum towards a truce. Over the past week, diplomatic efforts have intensified. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan visited Israel, Egypt, and Qatar, while Israeli delegations also engaged with officials in Egypt, and Qatar.

A separate report in the Israeli press quoted an unnamed Israeli official suggesting that an agreement could be finalized by 25 December.

According to an Egyptian security source, a recent stalemate in the talks resulted from attempts to expand the scope of the agreement. The primary goals include securing the release of additional prisoners and ensuring a longer ceasefire. Disagreements reportedly persist between Israel and Egypt over the future management of the Rafah border crossing.

The proposed ceasefire is based on an Egyptian peace plan aimed at creating a “Gaza without Hamas”. Key aspects of the plan include an initial ceasefire of one to two months, a gradual release of hostages without military pressure, and a reopening under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority and Egypt.

Israel would retain veto power over individuals crossing into Egypt. Egypt would ensure that Hamas does not control the border or Gaza in the immediate future.

Reportedly, Hamas has agreed to the plan on the condition that Gaza’s administration is handed over to a committee of local Palestinians.

Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to securing the return of all Israeli prisoners held in Gaza. In a written statement, Netanyahu also addressed developments in Syria, Lebanon, and conflicts with Iran, and Hezbollah.

Netanyahu remarked, “The face of the Middle East has changed,” adding that Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and Iran are fundamentally different compared to a year ago. While emphasizing ongoing challenges posed by Iran and its proxies, he noted that Israel would base its policy toward Syria on “realities on the ground.”

Netanyahu also highlighted a meeting with Donald Trump, newly elected as the 47th President of the United States, describing it as “very friendly, warm, and important.”