Ceasefire talks aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in Gaza resumed in Doha on Thursday, but a crucial player was absent. Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, boycotted the closed-door meeting, accusing Israel of adding new demands to US proposals and claiming that the extended negotiations would benefit its rival.
According to sources cited by The National, Hamas may rejoin the talks early next week if mediators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar present a plan based on the proposals outlined by US President Joe Biden. Meanwhile, with US warships, submarines, and warplanes deployed in the region to defend Israel and deter potential attackers, Washington is hoping a ceasefire agreement can defuse the risk of a broader regional war.
A Reuters report, citing an official briefed on the talks, revealed that while Hamas officials skipped Thursday’s meeting, mediators planned to consult with the group’s Doha-based negotiating team after the session. The negotiations in Qatar include CIA Director William Burns, the spy chiefs of Israel and Egypt, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
“The negotiations will primarily focus on narrowing the differences between Israel and Hamas,” a source quoted by The National stated. “But Israel’s insistence on eradicating Hamas and removing it entirely from the scene in Gaza after the war will always cast doubt on the fate of the talks,” the source added.
This fresh round of talks comes at a critical juncture. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza conflict has surpassed 40,000, and the threat of a broader Middle East war has intensified following recent assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr in Beirut. The conflict has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and caused widespread devastation. Israel has claimed responsibility for the Beirut assassination and is widely suspected of orchestrating the Tehran killing. Both Iran and Hezbollah have vowed retaliation, though Iranian officials have hinted that Tehran might reconsider its response if a Gaza ceasefire is achieved in Doha.
Mediators have spent months trying to finalize President Biden’s three-phase plan, which involves Hamas releasing hostages from its October 7 attack on Israel in exchange for a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners. While both sides have agreed in principle to this plan, disputes over “amendments” and “clarifications” have led to mutual accusations of imposing new, unacceptable demands. Hamas has rejected Israel’s latest proposals, which include a permanent military presence along the Egypt border and a checkpoint to screen Palestinians returning to Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has denied making new demands but expressed skepticism about the durability of the ceasefire, emphasizing Israel’s commitment to “total victory” and the release of all hostages.
Disagreements also persist over which Palestinian prisoners would be released and whether they would face exile. Hamas’s October attack resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and around 240 hostages. About 100 hostages were freed during a temporary truce in late November, with Israel stating that 111 remain captive, though nearly 40 are reported dead.
The ongoing negotiations face significant challenges and remain uncertain. The outcome of these talks will determine the future of the Gaza conflict and the potential for a lasting peace in the region.
