A new deadlock has emerged in negotiations to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as Hamas’ response was rejected by Qatari and Egyptian mediators, according to information cited by the Times of Israel.
The Palestinian organization’s response was submitted Tuesday evening in Doha regarding the proposal for a 60-day ceasefire, which included redeployment of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). However, mediators rejected its content, characterizing it as “unacceptable.”
Sources report that an internal dispute exists within Hamas regarding whether to adopt a hard-line stance or make concessions to achieve an agreement. Ultimately, the hard line was chosen to maintain internal organizational cohesion.
Mediators informed Hamas that they would not forward the current response to U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and demanded submission of a softer, more compromising proposal within the day. The mediators’ frustration with Hamas’ stance appears to be continuously intensifying.
Gaza: US increases pressure for agreement
Meanwhile, the United States is intensifying diplomatic pressure to achieve an agreement, with Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff expected to travel to Doha by the end of the week. The trip’s objective is to finalize the ceasefire agreement and advance a comprehensive deal that would include hostage releases.
The statement came shortly after State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce briefed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had just informed her that Witkoff is already en route to the region and that Washington maintains high expectations for reaching an agreement.
Indirect negotiations have been ongoing since July 6, with the draft agreement providing for the release of 10 living hostages and the return of 18 bodies, in exchange for a number of Palestinian security prisoners, a figure that remains under negotiation, within the framework of a 60-day ceasefire.
Once the temporary ceasefire begins, both sides are expected to proceed with talks on the terms of a permanent ceasefire and the release of the remaining 22 hostages, approximately 10 of whom are estimated to still be alive.
