Gaza Herald- Negotiations aimed at securing a Gaza ceasefire are set to resume next Monday, following a tense breakdown triggered by the sudden withdrawal of U.S. and Israeli delegations, Egyptian and Hamas sources confirmed.
The talks mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. had stalled due to persistent disputes between Israel and Hamas, especially over the humanitarian crisis and military presence in the Gaza Strip. However, the efforts were further disrupted when former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly intervened behind the scenes, throwing the talks into disarray. The move coincided with the departure of U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who blamed Hamas for the impasse and declared Washington would now “explore alternative options.”
Despite this setback, Egyptian and Qatari mediators have assured Hamas leadership that negotiations are still alive and that both Israeli and American teams are expected to return to Doha on Sunday evening to formally restart talks on Monday. This was reported by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, citing Egyptian officials close to the process.
In a joint statement issued late this week, Egypt and Qatar reiterated alongside the U.S. their ongoing commitment to reaching a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza, despite recent diplomatic turbulence.
A senior Hamas figure criticized the United States and Israel for deliberately undermining the process, accusing them of weaponizing starvation and siege tactics to pressure Hamas into accepting a deal that fails to meet any of Gaza’s demands. These include the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Strip and the guarantee of unrestricted humanitarian aid delivery.
The core sticking points remain unchanged: Israel insists on dismantling Hamas’ governance and military infrastructure, while Hamas demands an end to the siege, troop withdrawal, and a genuine humanitarian corridor.
Israel’s war on Gaza, launched on 7 October 2023, has already claimed the lives of over 59,000 Palestinians, the vast majority of whom are civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry. Thousands more remain missing beneath collapsed buildings and rubble.
In recent weeks, famine has added to the catastrophe, with more than 100 Palestinians primarily children dying from starvation as Israel continues to block adequate food and medical supplies from entering the besieged enclave.
The delay in talks, particularly after U.S. interference, has raised serious concerns about the political will of Washington to push for a genuine ceasefire that prioritizes humanitarian relief and Palestinian rights over geopolitical interests.
As talks resume, the credibility of the U.S. as a neutral mediator is being questioned more than ever, especially given its unconditional support for Israel’s ongoing military campaign and the use of famine as a tool of war.
