The US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to leave Gaza talks in Qatar for Russia as President Trump shifts focus to Ukraine. The latest round of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have yielded little progress, with entrenched disagreements over the deal’s next steps.
A multiphase truce agreed upon in January aims to end Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza and free Israeli and foreign hostages. However, Israel and Hamas remain far apart on how to move forward, with Israel insisting on demilitarizing Gaza and Hamas refusing to disband its armed battalions.
Critics in Israel accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of delaying an agreement, fearing it would loosen his grip on power. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened since the cease-fire, with over 24 living hostages still being held captive.
Qatar, which brokered the truce alongside Egypt and the US, has criticized Israel’s decision to bar humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, citing a violation of the cease-fire agreement. The stalled talks have sparked fears of another humanitarian crisis in the territory.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-ceasefire-trump-ukraine.html