Gaza Herald – Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas in Doha are reportedly on the verge of collapse due to Israel’s insistence on maintaining a military presence in Rafah and other parts of Gaza during the proposed truce period.
Hamas has also rejected a new condition introduced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding the group disarm and relinquish control over Gaza, a move seen by the Palestinian side as a deliberate effort to sabotage the talks before they make progress.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, Hamas negotiators have grown increasingly doubtful about the prospects of securing a ceasefire in this round of negotiations. They say talks remain deadlocked on two major points: the scope of Israel’s planned withdrawal during the 60-day truce, and how humanitarian aid will be distributed.
Washington has suggested deferring discussions on these contentious issues and focusing instead on finalizing the list of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for remaining Israeli captives, a strategy Palestinian representatives view as an attempt to corner Hamas.
A source involved in the talks claimed the move was aimed at framing Hamas as responsible for any potential breakdown in negotiations.
Israeli plans reportedly include keeping forces stationed across large sections of Gaza, especially in the Rafah Governorate and a designated “neutral zone” extending three kilometers along Gaza’s eastern and northern borders. This zone would encompass several residential areas, effectively preventing the return of displaced Palestinian families.
Hamas continues to demand Israel’s withdrawal to positions agreed upon in the January ceasefire, terms that were later violated in March. The Israeli proposal would retain troops in parts of the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egyptian border and within 700 meters of Israel’s eastern and northern frontier until a final agreement is reached.
GHF a Key Player?
On the humanitarian front, Israeli negotiators are pushing for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to remain a key distributor of aid, despite widespread criticism. In an effort to lend more legitimacy to the arrangement, Israel has reportedly told the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to assume the role of lead distributor.
Carl Skau, WFP’s deputy executive director, confirmed on Wednesday that Israeli officials had expressed their desire for the UN to resume primary responsibility for aid delivery in Gaza.
As negotiations teeter on the edge and new Israeli maps reveal intentions for an extended occupation footprint, the future of Gaza hangs in the balance. The failure to reach a just ceasefire, one that guarantees full withdrawal, restores displaced families to their homes, and ensures impartial humanitarian aid risks deepening the humanitarian catastrophe and reinforcing the belief among Palestinians that these talks serve only to buy time for further entrenchment. Without concrete commitments, what is framed as diplomacy may amount to little more than managed stagnation.
