Israel to Engage in Gaza Ceasefire Talks Amid Hamas Demands

Israel has announced its decision to dispatch negotiators to Qatar for crucial proximity talks concerning a potential ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. This move comes despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterizing Hamas’s latest demands as “unacceptable.” The Palestinian group, Hamas, had previously submitted a “positive response” to a proposal brokered by Qatar, the US, and Egypt, expressing readiness for negotiations.

However, a Palestinian official indicated that Hamas sought significant amendments to the deal. These reportedly include guarantees that hostilities would not reignite if negotiations for a permanent truce faltered, and specific conditions regarding the distribution of humanitarian aid and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

The ongoing conflict has continued to exact a heavy toll on civilians in Gaza. Hamas-run Civil Defence reported that Israeli strikes and gunfire on Saturday resulted in the deaths of at least 35 Palestinians. Among the casualties were a doctor and his three children, killed when tents in the al-Mawasi area were hit, according to a Khan Younis hospital. In a separate incident, two American employees of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an aid organization supported by Israel and the US, were injured in what the foundation described as a grenade attack in the Khan Younis area. Both Israeli and US authorities have blamed Hamas for the incident, though the group has not yet commented.

Despite deeming Hamas’s requested amendments “unacceptable,” Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office confirmed the decision to proceed with the talks. The statement emphasized that contacts for the return of Israeli hostages would continue based on the Qatari proposal that Israel had already accepted. The negotiating team is scheduled to depart for Doha on Sunday.

Mediators face the challenging task of bridging the remaining differences between the parties. The developments are being closely watched by international leaders, including US President Donald Trump, who has expressed optimism about the prospects of an agreement. President Trump is anticipated to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu soon, potentially providing an opportunity to announce a significant breakthrough.

The families of Israeli hostages and the people of Gaza remain in anxious anticipation of a resolution. A rally held in Tel Aviv on Saturday saw relatives of hostages and their supporters advocating for a comprehensive deal to secure the return of all individuals held captive. Yechiel Yehoud, whose daughter Arbel was released during a previous ceasefire, appealed to President Trump for his continued support in brokering a “big beautiful hostages deal.”

The current proposal is understood to involve a phased release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Reports suggest a 60-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would release 10 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of 18 others. This would be accompanied by a substantial increase in humanitarian aid entering Gaza, facilitated by the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Hamas’s demands reportedly include stipulations for aid distribution to be exclusively managed by UN and partner organizations, and an immediate cessation of the GHF’s operations. Furthermore, Hamas is said to be seeking a commitment for Israeli troops to return to pre-ceasefire positions and a US guarantee that military operations will not resume, even if a permanent truce is not reached.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has consistently stated that the war will not conclude until all hostages are returned and Hamas’s military and governing capabilities are dismantled. This stance is echoed by far-right members of his government, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir advocating for the complete conquest of Gaza, a halt to humanitarian aid, and the encouragement of Palestinian emigration as the only path to securing the hostages’ return.

The Israeli military campaign in Gaza was initiated in response to the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the taking of 251 hostages. Since then, the health ministry in Gaza, run by Hamas, reports that at least 57,338 people have been killed in the territory.