First round of Gaza ceasefire talks between Israel-Hamas ends inconclusively
The talks, which lasted for about three and a half hours and took place in two buildings in Qatar's capital Doha, resumed on Sunday ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's scheduled visit to the United States to meet President Donald Trump, his third visit to Washington since the Republican leader returned to power in January.
A BBC report stated that messages and clarifications were exchanged between Israel and Hamas via mediators Egypt and Qatar but no progress could be achieved. The talks are scheduled to resume again on Monday, as mediators Egypt and Qatar have planned to hold separate meetings with each delegation to overcome the obstacles and narrow the gaps for a possible ceasefire deal.
Two Palestinian sources, quoted by Reuters, said 'After the first session of indirect negotiations in Doha, the Israeli delegation is not sufficiently authorized…to reach an agreement with Hamas, as it has no real powers.'
Ahead of his departure to Washington, Netanyahu said that Israeli negotiators taking part in the ceasefire talks in Doha have been given clear instructions to achieve a ceasefire deal with Hamas but under the conditions that Tel Aviv has accepted.
Crowds gathered in Tel Aviv at a public square outside the defence ministry's office and called for a ceasefire in hostilities with Gaza and return of at least 50 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. The demonstrators carried Israeli flags, photos of the hostages and chanted for a ceasefire in hostilities.
Hamas had earlier responded to the latest ceasefire negotiations with a positive approach, however, the gaps between the two sides still remains widened and requires mediation to be bridged for a feasible resolution of the Gaza crisis.
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