Have negotiations between Israel and Hamas reached a deadlock?
Israeli media confirms the departure of the delegation from Doha, but other sources indicate its stay to continue negotiations for a deal
Israel accused the Islamic resistance movement Hamas on Tuesday of putting forward “illusory” demands in indirect negotiations regarding a ceasefire in Gaza, stating in a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s office that these demands show that the movement does not care about reaching an agreement.
Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, “Hamas has once again rejected every American settlement proposal and reiterated its demands to end the war immediately and withdraw completely from the Gaza Strip.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Channel 12 stated that the Doha negotiations on the Gaza ceasefire have reached a “dead end,” and the Israeli delegation is leaving Qatar and returning to Tel Aviv, signaling continued escalation, with Israeli threats to invade Rafah despite international concerns, as the military option is currently the only one.
However, a Reuters source familiar with the talks denied this information, saying that discussions on the ceasefire and the release of hostages are ongoing, and that Israeli Mossad officials are still in Doha for discussions, with only a small team returning to convey the results of the talks.
Qatar said on Tuesday that the UN Security Council’s decision calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza had no immediate effect on ceasefire talks in Doha.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said at a press conference in Doha, “We have not seen any immediate impact on the talks, they continue as before the UN resolution was issued.”
In talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt, Hamas wanted any ceasefire to lead to an end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. Israel rules out this option, saying it will continue its efforts to dismantle Hamas.
Pressure is mounting on the Israeli government from hostage families to reach an agreement, while Hamas insists that continuing the war threatens the lives of prisoners amidst a crisis of water and food shortages due to the ban on humanitarian aid entering the enclave.
The Israeli negotiating delegation remained in Doha for a while after Mossad chief David Barnea returned to Tel Aviv to convey the results of the negotiations with Hamas.
The Security Council’s decision to issue an immediate ceasefire resolution was a painful blow to Netanyahu, with Washington rejecting the use of the veto, but it is unlikely that the Israeli army will comply with the resolution.
Meanwhile, Hamas is adamant about the need to end the war and completely withdraw Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, accusing the Israeli government of maneuvering to gain time.
In the meantime, Hamas leaders are coordinating their positions with their allies in the region, where the head of the political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, is visiting Tehran on Tuesday, according to official Iranian media, as the movement continues a devastating war with Israel in Gaza since October.
