Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations Stumble Amidst Withdrawal Disputes, Report Say Palestinian and Israeli Officials

Efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza are currently facing challenges, primarily concerning the extent of Israeli troop withdrawal from Palestinian territories. According to sources conversant with the negotiations in Doha, the dialogue is ongoing but encountering significant hurdles.

Despite the setbacks, indirect discussions about a proposed 60-day ceasefire, backed by the United States, are slated to continue. “The path to peace often winds through difficult terrain,” noted one participant as negotiations persist.

A Palestinian representative revealed that Hamas has declined Israel’s proposed withdrawal maps. These maps would leave approximately 40% of Gaza under Israeli control, including crucial areas like southern Rafah and further regions in northern and eastern Gaza.

Conversely, Israeli sources indicated that Hamas is advocating for a return to the lines established during a previous ceasefire before renewed hostilities began in March.

This week, the White House announced that Mr. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, instrumental in formulating the latest ceasefire proposal, will travel to Doha to further engage in discussions. “Diplomacy remains our strongest tool,” mentioned a White House spokesperson.

Delegations representing both Israel and Hamas have been in Qatar since Sunday, intensifying efforts toward reaching an agreement that envisions a phased release of hostages, coupled with Israeli troop withdrawals and broader discussions aimed at concluding the ongoing conflict.

Hamas has consistently demanded an end to hostilities as a precondition for releasing remaining hostages. In turn, Israel has maintained that it will only cease fighting once all hostages are released and Hamas is dismantled.

The conflict ignited on October 7, 2023, when militants from Hamas infiltrated Israel, resulting in the tragic loss of approximately 1,200 lives and the abduction of 251 hostages taken into Gaza. Reports indicate that at least 20 of the remaining 50 hostages are believed to still be alive.

The humanitarian consequences have been devastating. Israel’s ongoing military operation has reportedly resulted in over 57,000 Palestinian casualties, displacing almost the entire population of more than 2 million and triggering a severe humanitarian crisis. Gaza’s civil defense agency has reported at least 14 fatalities due to the latest Israeli airstrikes.

On the previous day, more than 30 individuals lost their lives, including ten who were awaiting food aid. “Every life lost is a tragedy that compounds the suffering in the region,” lamented a local aid worker.

In the latest reports, the Israeli military indicated it has targeted “approximately 250 terrorist sites throughout the Gaza Strip” within the past 48 hours. This included strikes on “terrorists, weapon storage facilities, and infrastructure associated with militant activities,” the military stated.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing both domestic and international pressure to conclude the conflict, reiterated that dismantling Hamas as a security threat is essential for any long-term ceasefire discussions. Failure to achieve disarmament, he argued, may force Israel to act decisively.

As these conversations continue, the hope remains that dialogue can pave the way to lasting peace.

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.