This week, ceasefire collapses between Israel and Gaza despite international peace efforts. DRC and Rwanda presidents meet for talks in Qatar as M23 rebels pull out of talks in Angola. After minimal peace progress for Ukraine and Russia, officials to meet for talks with US in Saudi Arabia.
Ceasefire Collapses Between Israel and Gaza Despite International Peace Efforts
The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Gaza has collapsed. On March 18, Israel launched airstrikes on the strip, killing over 400 Palestinians. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it was attacking “terror targets.” A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that Hamas had repeatedly refused to release hostages, and rejected all proposals from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and mediators. On March 19, Israel launched what it called “targeted ground activities” in Gaza.
These developments follow efforts by several countries to negotiate a ceasefire. On March 12, US envoy Steve Witkoff presented an updated proposal for a month-long extension of the Israel-Gaza ceasefire, which expired on March 1, in exchange for the release of at least five living hostages, and the remains of around nine hostages currently held captive by Hamas.
Israel says that Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to still be alive. Palestinians and Israelis have both suffered massively from the war since October 7, with over 1,200 people killed in Israel, and nearly 50,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, according to the strip’s health ministry.
DRC and Rwanda Presidents Meet for Talks in Qatar as M23 Rebels Pull Out of Talks in Angola
The presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) met in Qatar for peace talks on April 18. The talks came just a day after the M23 rebel group, which has taken over areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)’s eastern region, announced that it was pulling out of peace talks scheduled for the next day in Angola.
A joint statement issued with Qatar said that “The Heads of State then agreed on the need to continue the discussions initiated in Doha in order to establish solid foundations for lasting peace.” In the past, DRC President President Felix Tshisekedi has refused to meet M23 for direct talks, however, last week he indicated that he was ready for dialogue, DW reported.
The Congo River Alliance of rebel groups, which includes, said it was pulling out of talks over sanctions that the European Union (EU) imposed earlier in the day against M23 and Rwandan officials. The statement added that the EU’s actions were “obstructing” the talks, and Rwanda said that it would be cutting ties with Belgium, accusing the country of trying to “sustain its neo-colonial delusions.”
In June 2024, an investigation commissioned by the UN Security Council revealed that the DRC’s neighbor, Rwanda, has actively backed this armed group, with the Rwanda Defence Force identified as having ‘de facto’ control over M23. However, Rwanda denies supporting the group.
After Minimal Peace Progress for Ukraine and Russia, Officials to Meet for Talks With US in Saudi Arabia
Following the minimal peace progress achieved for Ukraine and Russia this week, officials of both countries plan to meet with US officials separately next week. Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelensky said in an X post about the upcoming talks, “We instructed our teams to resolve technical issues related to implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire.”
Russia will be represented by Sergei Beseda, an adviser to the director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), and Grigory Karasin, a former diplomat who now chairs the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs.
This development comes after the two countries made minimal progress in peace this week. While Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire with Russia last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected a full and immediate ceasefire, merely agreeing to halt attacks on energy infrastructure following a phone call with US President Donald Trump on March 18. Hours after the phone call, the two countries had already accused each other of launching air attacks that caused fires and damaged infrastructure. To read Peace News Network (PNN)’s full report of these events, click here.
Keywords: Israel, Palestine, Gaza, peace, Rwanda, Ukraine, Russia, conflict, conflict resolution, ceasefire, peace talks
Tara Abhasakun
Tara Abhasakun is a journalist in Bangkok. She has reported on a range of human rights issues involving youth protests in Thailand, as well as arts and culture. Tara's work has appeared in several outlets, including Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.
