Indirect negotiations aimed at establishing a Gaza truce and facilitating hostage releases are slated to resume this Sunday in Doha, a pivotal hub for mediation in the ongoing conflict. This development comes just before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House in an effort to address the escalating violence.
Netanyahu previously indicated that he would be sending a delegation to Qatar for discussions, despite expressing concerns over “unacceptable” demands made by Hamas in response to a US-backed ceasefire draft. As the war approaches its 22nd month, there is increasing pressure on the Israeli government to bring about an end to hostilities.
A Palestinian official, closely associated with Hamas, confirmed that international mediators have informed the group that “a new round of indirect negotiations… will begin in Doha today.” Topics under discussion will include the potential for a ceasefire, the release of hostages and prisoners, and the reopening of Gaza’s Rafah crossing to facilitate the evacuation of injured individuals.
Hamas’s negotiating team, led by chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, is currently in Doha, while Israel’s delegation arrived earlier on the same day. In conjunction with these negotiations, Netanyahu met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to discuss Gaza and potential strategies to expand diplomatic ties with Arab nations.
Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, demonstrators gathered for their weekly rally, advocating for the return of hostages taken during Hamas’s October 7 attack, which ignited the current conflict. Macabit Mayer, an aunt of two of the captives, expressed the hope for a comprehensive solution that would benefit all parties involved.
According to Palestinian sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations, current proposals include a 60-day truce during which Hamas would agree to release ten living hostages and several deceased individuals in exchange for Palestinian detainees held by Israel. However, Hamas also seeks specific assurances regarding Israel’s withdrawal, protection against a resumption of hostilities during negotiations, and the restoration of the UN-led aid distribution system.
On the ground in Gaza, the situation remains critical. A civil defense agency reported that Israeli forces killed 14 individuals over the weekend, including ten in a pre-dawn strike on Gaza City’s Sheikh Radawn neighborhood. Residents like Osama al-Hanawi recounted the tragic toll, saying, “We are losing young people, families and children every day, and this must stop now. Enough blood has been shed.”
Since the onset of hostilities following the October attack, international mediators have facilitated two temporary pauses in fighting during which hostages were exchanged for Palestinian prisoners. Out of the 251 hostages taken by militants, 49 are still believed to be in Gaza, with reports indicating that 27 may be deceased.
Efforts to achieve a more permanent ceasefire have consistently broken down, primarily due to Israel’s refusal to accept Hamas’s conditions.
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is increasingly desperate, affecting over two million residents. Karima al-Ras from Khan Yunis voiced the urgent need for a truce, stating, “People are dying for flour.” A US- and Israel-supported group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, has begun food distribution efforts in Gaza following a partial lifting of an extensive blockade. However, major aid organizations have expressed reluctance to collaborate with the GHF due to fears that it may align too closely with Israeli military objectives. The UN human rights office has reported that upwards of 500 individuals have died while waiting for food aid.
The October conflict has claimed the lives of at least 1,219 people, predominantly civilians, according to Israeli reports, while the retaliatory actions by Israel have resulted in more than 57,418 fatalities in Gaza, also mainly affecting civilians, as per statistics from the Hamas-run health ministry. The United Nations has deemed these figures reliable amidst the ongoing crisis.
