7 days ago
Doha ceasefire talks face setback over Israeli withdrawal terms
A Palestinian inspects the site of an overnight Israeli strike on a house, in Gaza City July 13. Picture: REUTERS/MAHMOUD ISSA
Indirect negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza have hit a significant roadblock over the scale and scope of Israeli troop withdrawals, according to Palestinian and Israeli sources familiar with the talks currently underway in the Qatari capital.
The discussions — focused on a U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day truce — have continued despite deep divisions, particularly over territorial control in the enclave. A Palestinian source close to the negotiations said that Hamas has rejected Israeli withdrawal maps that would leave roughly 40% of Gaza, including the southern city of Rafah and key areas in the north and east, under Israeli military presence.
Two Israeli officials confirmed that Hamas is demanding a full pullback to the positions held during the previous ceasefire, which collapsed when Israel resumed its military campaign in March.
The talks, hosted by Qatar and supported by the United States and Egypt, are seen as a last-ditch effort to pause the war and set the stage for a broader resolution. But issues beyond the military map are also proving difficult. The Palestinian source said aid access and guarantees to permanently end the war remain sticking points, with negotiators hoping stronger U.S. involvement could unlock progress.
In a sign of continued diplomatic engagement, the White House announced that senior adviser Steve Witkoff — who helped shape the latest proposal — will travel to Doha this week to join the mediation efforts.
Delegations from both Hamas and Israel have been in Doha since Sunday, as part of a renewed push for a phased agreement. The draft framework under discussion reportedly includes a sequential release of hostages held by Hamas, Israeli troop withdrawals from parts of Gaza, and talks on a permanent ceasefire.
Yet core disagreements persist. Hamas insists that no more hostages will be released until there is a clear commitment to end the war. Israel, for its part, says it will not halt its campaign until all hostages are freed and Hamas is dismantled.
The war, now in its tenth month, erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack into southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and capturing 251 hostages. Of the roughly 50 hostages still believed to be held in Gaza, Israeli officials estimate at least 20 may still be alive.
Israel's military response has devastated Gaza. According to health officials in the enclave, more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed, and nearly the entire population of over two million has been displaced. Much of Gaza now lies in ruins, and humanitarian conditions remain dire.
Despite the setbacks, officials say diplomacy remains active, with international mediators pressing both sides to make concessions in order to halt the bloodshed — even if only temporarily.
