Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Qatar are stalled as a ceasefire extension hangs in the balance. The fragile truce, brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, has reached its first stage, but details of the second phase remain uncertain.
The ceasefire, which halted fighting in Gaza since mid-January, was secured through Hamas’s release of 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight more Palestinians. However, Israel is demanding more hostages be released before negotiations on the second phase begin.
Hamas has accused Israel of trying to sabotage the agreement by delaying talks. White House envoy Steve Witkoff travelled to Qatar this week to mediate indirect negotiations, but no progress was made.
The conflict in Gaza began after Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing over 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage. The war has resulted in at least 48,000 Palestinian deaths and displaced around 90% of the Strip’s population.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure to enter negotiations on the next stage of the deal. However, his government faces criticism from far-right allies who want to destroy Hamas and depopulate Gaza. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has even threatened to bring down the government if Netanyahu enters the second phase without resuming the war.
Hamas’s leader Abdullatif Al-Qanou has expressed flexibility in negotiations but emphasized the group’s priority is helping its struggling population and guaranteeing their safety through a permanent cessation of hostilities. The Israeli government, however, refuses to release Palestinian prisoners, a key component of the first phase, unless Hamas agrees to more concessions.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/2025/03/14/taiwan-calls-china-a-hostile-foreign-force-and-ramps-up-security