Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Qatar are at risk of collapse due to deep divisions over key issues. Palestinian officials say that Israeli stalling tactics, facilitated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, have led to a breakdown in talks.
The proposed deal would see Hamas release half of the 20 living hostages it is holding and just over half of the 30 dead hostages during a truce lasting 60 days. However, Palestinian officials claim that Israel has deliberately stalled the process by sending a delegation to Doha with no real authority to make decisions.
A key point of contention is humanitarian aid distribution, with Hamas insisting on aid being delivered via UN agencies and international relief organizations. Israel, on the other hand, is pushing for the use of its own mechanism run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Progress has been limited, despite some minor concessions from both sides.
Another sticking point is the extent of Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas viewed a proposed buffer zone as a possible compromise but saw a revised map outlining Israel’s proposed withdrawal zones as a bad-faith maneuver. The Palestinian side accuses Israel of deliberately stalling to create a positive diplomatic backdrop for Netanyahu’s visit to Washington.
Diplomats warn that the Doha negotiations are fragile and may collapse entirely if no intervention by the US is made. With regional efforts to reach a durable ceasefire facing complications, the situation remains volatile.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqjq9p87vdvo